Skopje, 28 November 2023 (MIA) — Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski took part in the International Conference on a Global Alliance to Combat Migrant Smuggling at the European Commission in Brussels, where interior ministers from around the world convened in order to step up cooperation, according to the Interior Ministry.

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen opened the conference, and Minister Spasovski was one of the panelists addressing the session "Response to Migrant Smuggling."

He said the Interior Ministry was successfuly monitoring the situation through its migration prevention unit and the border police in cooperation with other police departments and state institutions including the Public Prosecutor's Office.

Stressing that the fight against migrant smuggling is a top priority of the Interior Ministry, Spasovski said strengthening the capacities of the unit and the border police was ongoing, especially regarding improving mobility, training personnel and modernizing equipment.

"We recently received additional support through the implementation of the regional IPA 'Support to Strengthening the Fight against Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking in Human Beings in the Western Balkans' project, aimed at improving conditions for the prevention and fight against migrant smuggling and human trafficking," he said.

He also pointed out the importance of cross-border cooperation for exchanging information and joint activities on the ground.

"We continue to be part of the Working Group for the Western Balkans, deepening cooperation with our partners from the region and Europe through international law enforcement agencies, such as Europol and SELEC at the police and operational level, and Eurojust at the prosecutorial level," he noted.

The southern border has been monitored together with Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, over the past seven months, he said, noting that this help was more than welcome. Spasovski added that as a result, illegal crossing attempts were down by 50% compared to last year.

At the end of his speech, Spasovski called for greater cooperation not only at the regional level, but together with the European Union and expressed his gratitude for the support and help North Macedonia receives from EU partners.

European Commissioner Ylva Johansson for Home Affairs thanked Interior Minister Spasovski for the exchange of experiences and the strengthening of police capacities.

"I am glad to hear that the cooperation with Frontex is very good," Commissioner Johansson said. "What you are doing is inspiring," she added. mr/