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The Balkan migration route no longer exists, said Slovenia's Prime Minister, Miro Cerar on Tuesday, following the marathon conference of the EU leaders and Turkey in Brussels, dedicated to the refugee crisis.
Although that the summit's final document did not encompass the previously prepared conclusion that 'the western Balkan migration route is closed,' rather that 'the refugee influx has been completed', the Slovenian leader nevertheless confirmed that all the countries located along the route, including Macedonia, are to allow only persons bearing official documents cross their official borders.
"Yes, the conclusion is rephrased, but the sense remains, and that is - the Balkan route for illegal migration no longer exists. This is a clear message that this informal summit has sent to the illegal migrants and smugglers," Cerar pointed.
According to the Slovenian prime minister, this agreement that needs to be rendered precise in the next ten days, before the European Council summit is held on March 17, no more migrants are to be received by European countries.
In this regard, Cerar confirmed that Slovenia will fully apply the Schengen rules on entering the country as of Tuesday, i.e. that in only the persons who have the necessary documents to enter the zone will be allowed in.
The message of the Slovenian premier means that Macedonia too is expected to fully close the illegal border crossings with Greece on Tuesday, and that only people who have valid documents, such as a passport and a visa, will be permitted to enter.
In compliance with the EU-Turkey agreement, the illegal migrants stationed on Greek territory, including those thousands of migrants stranded at the border with Macedonia, are to be sent back by Greek authorities to the Greek islands, from where, with NATO's and FRONTEX' assistance, they will be returned to Turkey.
- See more at: Slovenia's Prime Minister: Balkan Migration Route No Longer Exists - Independent.mk
Interior ministry: Serbia to introduce reciprocal measures
The Serbian interior ministry said in a statement on Tuesday evening after Slovenia's decision to shut down the Balkan route that it would coordinate all migration-related measures with the EU and implement them on its southern and eastern borders.
BELGRADE - The Serbian interior ministry said in a statement on Tuesday evening after Slovenia's decision to shut down the Balkan route that it would coordinate all migration-related measures with the EU and implement them on its southern and eastern borders.
Croatia has informed the Serbian interior ministry that Slovenia, a member of the EU, will start enforcing the new regime for entering the Schengen zone and will not receive migrants without valid visas and passports as of midnight, says the statement.
This practically means the closing of the Balkan route, the ministry said.
With the new regime in place, Serbia cannot allow to become a collection center for refugees so it will coordinate all measures with the EU and reciprocally put them in place on its southern and eastern borders, toward Macedonia and Bulgaria, the ministry said.
TANJUG | Interior ministry: Serbia to introduce reciprocal measures
Refugee crisis: Fears of violence in border camps if 'Balkan route' into Europe is closed
In Idomeni everyone wants to know if the rumour that they are all being sent back to Turkey could be true.
Maan al-Habi, a Syrian living in the foetid Idomeni border camp between Greece and Macedonia, was unequivocal. He would not be taken back to Turkey.
“I survived all this to get here, with my wife and child,” said the 36-year-old from Damascus. “I will not go. I can see there will be trouble. Lots of the younger men here will not go.”
As night fell on Monday, the mood in Idomeni was getting bleaker. Storm clouds again threatened to turn the camp at the start of the so-called “Balkan route” to northern Europe into a rancid mud bath.
Everyone wanted to know whether the rumour that they were all being sent back to Turkey could be true.
And still, the Macedonian border guards appeared impervious to all and any documents. The border remained closed to those seeking to travel further into Europe.
Food queues appeared longer than the days before, and the pungent smell of a refugee camp seemed stronger. The sense of desperation and despondency was new.
Many officials from non-governmental organisations told The Independent they fear the situation might become violent if migrants at the sprawling camp were told the border was closed and were ordered back to Turkey.
One senior aid official, who asked not to be named, said: “Safety will become an issue and we might have to pull out.”
More at:
Refugee crisis: Fears of violence in border camps if 'Balkan route' into Europe is closed | Europe | News | The Independent
Although that the summit's final document did not encompass the previously prepared conclusion that 'the western Balkan migration route is closed,' rather that 'the refugee influx has been completed', the Slovenian leader nevertheless confirmed that all the countries located along the route, including Macedonia, are to allow only persons bearing official documents cross their official borders.
"Yes, the conclusion is rephrased, but the sense remains, and that is - the Balkan route for illegal migration no longer exists. This is a clear message that this informal summit has sent to the illegal migrants and smugglers," Cerar pointed.
According to the Slovenian prime minister, this agreement that needs to be rendered precise in the next ten days, before the European Council summit is held on March 17, no more migrants are to be received by European countries.
In this regard, Cerar confirmed that Slovenia will fully apply the Schengen rules on entering the country as of Tuesday, i.e. that in only the persons who have the necessary documents to enter the zone will be allowed in.
The message of the Slovenian premier means that Macedonia too is expected to fully close the illegal border crossings with Greece on Tuesday, and that only people who have valid documents, such as a passport and a visa, will be permitted to enter.
In compliance with the EU-Turkey agreement, the illegal migrants stationed on Greek territory, including those thousands of migrants stranded at the border with Macedonia, are to be sent back by Greek authorities to the Greek islands, from where, with NATO's and FRONTEX' assistance, they will be returned to Turkey.
- See more at: Slovenia's Prime Minister: Balkan Migration Route No Longer Exists - Independent.mk
Interior ministry: Serbia to introduce reciprocal measures
The Serbian interior ministry said in a statement on Tuesday evening after Slovenia's decision to shut down the Balkan route that it would coordinate all migration-related measures with the EU and implement them on its southern and eastern borders.
BELGRADE - The Serbian interior ministry said in a statement on Tuesday evening after Slovenia's decision to shut down the Balkan route that it would coordinate all migration-related measures with the EU and implement them on its southern and eastern borders.
Croatia has informed the Serbian interior ministry that Slovenia, a member of the EU, will start enforcing the new regime for entering the Schengen zone and will not receive migrants without valid visas and passports as of midnight, says the statement.
This practically means the closing of the Balkan route, the ministry said.
With the new regime in place, Serbia cannot allow to become a collection center for refugees so it will coordinate all measures with the EU and reciprocally put them in place on its southern and eastern borders, toward Macedonia and Bulgaria, the ministry said.
TANJUG | Interior ministry: Serbia to introduce reciprocal measures
Refugee crisis: Fears of violence in border camps if 'Balkan route' into Europe is closed
In Idomeni everyone wants to know if the rumour that they are all being sent back to Turkey could be true.
Maan al-Habi, a Syrian living in the foetid Idomeni border camp between Greece and Macedonia, was unequivocal. He would not be taken back to Turkey.
“I survived all this to get here, with my wife and child,” said the 36-year-old from Damascus. “I will not go. I can see there will be trouble. Lots of the younger men here will not go.”
As night fell on Monday, the mood in Idomeni was getting bleaker. Storm clouds again threatened to turn the camp at the start of the so-called “Balkan route” to northern Europe into a rancid mud bath.
Everyone wanted to know whether the rumour that they were all being sent back to Turkey could be true.
And still, the Macedonian border guards appeared impervious to all and any documents. The border remained closed to those seeking to travel further into Europe.
Food queues appeared longer than the days before, and the pungent smell of a refugee camp seemed stronger. The sense of desperation and despondency was new.
Many officials from non-governmental organisations told The Independent they fear the situation might become violent if migrants at the sprawling camp were told the border was closed and were ordered back to Turkey.
One senior aid official, who asked not to be named, said: “Safety will become an issue and we might have to pull out.”
More at:
Refugee crisis: Fears of violence in border camps if 'Balkan route' into Europe is closed | Europe | News | The Independent
