Kavadarci, 22 December 2023 (MIA) - Dealing with cross-border crime or migrant smuggling was the theme of Friday's 'Reflex 2023' tactical exercise held in Moklishte near Kavadarci, organized by the Regional Center for Border Affairs “Jug” and Sector for Border Affairs and Migration, supported by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX), the Interior Ministry's helicopter unit and Kavadarci General Hospital.

Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski said the border with Greece has been the most problematic in terms of illegal crossing attempts for many years now. This year, the number of illegal crossing attempts there has reduced by 50 percent, with the detection of 12,000 migrants by strengthening measures and more effective control - both at the border crossing and through checkpoints in the interior and, of course, with involvement from Frontex. The number of migrant smuggling cases at the Regional Center for Border Affairs "Jug" is similar to last year.

"Seventy three cases were detected in attempts to smuggle 948 illegal migrants, but if we take into consideration that the number of migrants in 2023 was reduced by half from last year, it speaks of greater efficiency in the detection of such crimes for this year. We also always keep in mind that with this global challenge, in addition to security, we have to be mindful of the human aspect, their vulnerability, including the respect and protection of every migrant's basic human rights," Spasovski said.

With the help of such stimulating exercises, the Minister added, the police actively prepares for the challenges of everyday work, which require top preparation, data exchange, and coordinated engagement. Therefore, Spasovski stressed, simulations play a key role in improving police preparedness and capacities for quick and effective response.

"That is how we strengthen our security and the security of European borders, shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow Frontex police officers. I would like to use this opportunity to congratulate European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, EU member-states and the European Parliament for the historic pact reached in reforming EU's migration and asylum policy, which still needs to undergo formal ratification, and is considered a triumph capping off a three-year-long ambitious effort to end decades of ad hoc crisis and unilateral measures to deal with the sharp incline of asylum seekers," Spasovski noted.

He added that the New Pact on Migration and Asylum is a legislative project encompassing all phases of dealing with asylum and migration, starting with screening of irregular migrants once they arrive in EU, taking biometric evidence, asylum procedures regulation rules for determining which member-state is responsible for acting on these requests, cooperation and solidarity between member-states, and how to manage crisis situations and instrumentalisation of migrants.

"Its importance is great, because it will finally establish calculated and clear norms that are binding for all member-states, with a final goal of establishing a balance between responsibility of those who take in the most asylum seekers and a principle of solidarity that other member states should respect," Spasovski stated. ssh/ik/

Photo: MIA