An EU report assessing whether Western Balkan countries continue to meet visa liberalization requirements showed that despite a drop in illegal crossings, improved migration management is needed.
Despite an overall decline in illegal border crossings, improved migration management is needed, according to a report on compliance with EU visa liberalization requirements by five Western Balkan countries – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia – and three Eastern Partnership countries. – Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
The report was published on Wednesday August 4 by the European Commission.
Concerns about reception capacities in certain countries
The report indicates that the capacity to receive migrants in some Western Balkan countries continues to be a concern, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where – the report notes – an agreement with Frontex will soon be finalized.
The EU executive also called for better coordination between security forces to combat organized crime, financial fraud and money laundering more effectively.
Corruption also remains a concern, he adds.
“Intensify migration management efforts”
“While restrictions linked to the COVID-19 pandemic have had a major impact on mobility, visa-free countries in the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership must continue to step up their efforts in managing migration and asylum and in the fight against corruption and organized crime,” the EU said. » said Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson.
Taken as a whole, all countries assessed in the report continue to meet visa liberalization requirements, the report said. He noted that visa liberalization is a mechanism that continues to benefit EU member states and partner countries economically, socially and culturally.