Spasovski – Gerdes: Frontex agreement opens door to more intensive cooperation in fight against illegal migration
Skopje, 3 November 2022 (MIA) – Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski met with Deputy Executive Director of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), Lars Gerdes, on Wednesday in Tirana, where he is attending the EU-Western Balkan Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Forum.
Talks focused on several topics, particularly the joint success with the signing of the agreement between the country and the European Union for operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in North Macedonia, the Ministry of Interior said in a press release.
“Interlocutors concurred that the agreement opens a door to more intensive cooperation based on trust and mutual respect, in the fight against illegal migration related to migrant smuggling and human trafficking as top priority for both the Republic of North Macedonia and the EU,” reads the press release.
Minister Spasovski said after the ratification of the Frontex agreement in North Macedonia’s Parliament and in the European Parliament, activities are intensively underway for its swift and quality implementation, by drawing up an Operational Plan and putting all necessary facilities into operation.
According to Gerdes, experience shows that a common feature in the implementation of the agreement in both member countries and those that are yet to join the EU is the mutual sharing of knowledge and experience, with the aim of joining forces.
“Also, during November this year, it was announced that a team of EU experts would arrive in the Republic of North Macedonia in order to look at possibilities for future joint activities, on which the Republic of North Macedonia has already gathered experience with the joint seven-year-long international operation on our southern border,” the press release adds.
In addition, Spasovski told the meeting with Gerdes that the fact the European Union recognized the country as a committed and stable partner, and concluded an agreement to ensure even more secure borders and greater security for the citizens of North Macedonia and the European Union, is yet another reaffirmation that the country is on the path of progress.
