Today in Sarajevo, the European Union donated to the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of BiH ten specialized off-road vehicles worth 725,000 convertible marks. The vehicles will be used primarily to perform monitoring activities of law enforcement, to support joint operational actions in regional offices, but also to combat irregular migration, smuggling of migrants and other tasks as part of an effective response to the migration situation.
The Head of the EU Delegation to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EU's special representative to BiH Johann Sattler handed over the keys of 10 vehicles to director of the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of BiH Mirsad Vilić in the presence of the Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina Nenad Nešić, the Minister of Human Rights and Refugees Sevlid Hurtić and the Head of the International Organization for Migration mission (IOM) in BiH and the Sub-regional Coordinator for the Western Balkans Laura Lungarotti.
"I am glad that we managed to make progress in this area. A strategy has been adopted, the capacities for the accommodation of migrants who are coming and will continue to come to BiH in the coming period have been strengthened. The issue of migration remains and we must manage it. The European Union will continue to support the BiH authorities in improving the management of migrant flows." said Ambassador Sattler.
"My commitment as the Minister of Security is for Bosnia and Herzegovina to be in the European Union. I expect from all police agencies to work in accordance with the law, to perform their work professionally. ", said Minister Nešić.
"IOM is proud that mediated to such an important donation with the support of the European Union. Ten off-road vehicles will allow officers greater mobility in the field. Thanks to the officers of the Directorate who are active in the temporary reception centers, especially the women who provide security and protection to people on the move," said Lungarotti.
"In accordance with the available possibilities and in cooperation with other competent agencies the Directorate for Coordination of Police Bodies of BiH in the past period undertook all available measures and activities in order for Bosnia and Herzegovina to respond as efficiently as possible to the existing migration situation. First of all, through the assistance that we provide to the Border Police to monitor the eastern border. Especially, it should be highlighted the Directorate's participation in providing temporary reception centers for the accommodation of migrants, where members of the Directorate provide physical protection and actively contribute to the safety and quality of life of users and employees.
This
is so far the largest single donation of vehicles, which increases the capacity
of the security system in BiH in the fight against various security risks and threats.