News in Brief

EU and Serbia Strengthen Border Management

The European Union (EU) and Serbia have signed an agreement to enhance operational cooperation in border management with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, known as Frontex.

This agreement, finalised in Belgrade by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, and the Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Ivica Dačić, marks the culmination of negotiations initiated in May 2023. It revises the framework initially implemented in May 2021 and is a crucial component of the EU Action Plan on the Western Balkans presented by the Commission in December 2022.

The primary objective of the agreement is to reinforce border management along migration routes, with the aim of curbing irregular migration and addressing the evolving tactics of smugglers. Additionally, it seeks to mitigate risks related to firearms trafficking and organised crime. Under this agreement, Frontex will conduct joint operations and deploy its standing corps across Serbia, including at non-EU borders.