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Agreement on Serbia's Accession to the European Migration Network Signed

Commissioner for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia Nataša Stanisavljević, and Head of the EU Delegation in Serbia Emanuele Giaufret, on behalf of the European Commission, signed today at the Headquarters of the Government of Serbia an Administrative Arrangement establishing cooperation between the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia and the European Commission in the European Migration Network.

“By signing the Arrangement, Serbia got an access to all the discussions on migration that are being held in Brussels in which all 27 members of the European Union are participating. Observer status implies complete exchange of information and access to all databases, it is an important step in the process of learning and cooperation. The Arrangement will help us to additionally hear the voice of Serbia, which is very ready not only to help in the field of migration but also to play a significant role in the fight against illegal migration, which an important element in one of the negotiation process chapters. The signing of the Administrative Arrangement is the result of good cooperation and successful progress that Serbia has in that important process, which ends with Serbia's inclusion in the observer status of the European Network for Migrants”, Commissioner Stanisavljević said.

EU Commissioner for Migration and Internal Affairs Ylva Johansson pointed out that in the previous period Serbia made a big progress in harmonizing the visa policy of the European Union, adding that thanks to these measures there was a visible reduction in migratory pressure in the European Union.

Johansson stressed that joint cooperation in the fight against organized crime and people smuggling at the borders is key.

“Visit of European Commissioner for Migration and Internal Affairs, Ylva Johansson to Belgrade is very significant, this visit shows strong commitment of the European Union to the good cooperation it has with Serbia as an important partner in the field of migration and security, and the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration as a leading institution in the field of migration in Serbia”, Commissioner Stanisavljević concluded.