An operational meeting with representatives of migration management in the Western Balkans was held in Sarajevo
A significant event focused on strengthening cooperation and efforts in the field of migration and return in the Western Balkans was held from the 28th to the 30th January of 2025. This initiative aimed to establish a strong, informal return network, encouraging relationship building, cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and current data among key stakeholders in the aforementioned issue.
The topic of the above-mentioned activity is the result of a previously operational meeting in Montenegro, where representatives of migration management agencies reported on the recognized, urgent need for closer cooperation with countries in region along the Western Balkans migration route. This event emphasized the importance and necessity of timely exchange of up-to-date information coordinated efforts to jointly address migration-related challenges.
Since the emergence of a new migration route through the Western Balkans in 2017, migration trends have changes significantly. The countries of the Western Balkans face the continuous challenge of strengthening institutional capacities, which entails allocating adequate resources to effectively address the complexity of migration issues. Given the increased security risks associated with migration flows, persons in transit, especially women, children and unaccompanied minors, represent vulnerable categories that require a clearly defined and adequate approach to protection and treatment.
The conclusion of the previous meeting is in light of the recommendations that emphasize the fact that migration management must be based on law and respect for human rights. International laws and treaties provide a framework for the orderly and humane treatment of persons in migration, ensuring the protection of their fundamental rights regardless of their status. Upholding these principles is not only a legal obligation but also a moral imperative because it recognizes the inherent dignity and worth of all individuals. By adhering to the rule of law and respecting human rights, nations can create migration systems that are fair, efficient and contribute to the well-being of all actors involved in the migration process, which includes not only persons in migration but also the local population of the countries in which they stay or remain.
In this regard, the regional operational meeting of representatives of migration management services in the Western Balkans further emphasizes the need for continuous strengthening of cooperation among all stakeholders involved in the entire process, with the aim of ensuring adequate protection and support for members of vulnerable groups of people on the move.
This event also represents a key step towards efforts to improve migration management in the Western Balkans, ensuring oversight of the process regarding compliance with fundamental rights and international standards while promoting regional stability and cooperation.
This meeting was organized as part of the project “Strengthening Migration Management, Asylum and Return Processes in the Western Balkans” financed by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the Federal Ministry of the Interior of Austria.
More about the project: https://hwi.ba/en/projects/refugees-migrants-displaced-persons/strengthening-migration-management-asylum-and-return-processes-in-the-western-balkans/22
