Piantedosi in Nova Gorica: Trilateral agreement for joint patrols on the Balkan Route
The Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi participated in Nova Gorica in the sixth trilateral meeting with the Ministers of the Interior of Slovenia and Croatia. A Memorandum on Joint Patrols to Strengthen the Fight against Illegal Migration along the Balkan Route was signed, with results showing a 78% reduction in flows.
Il Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi participated yesterday in Nova Gorica, Slovenia, in the Sixth trilateral meeting with Slovenian counterpart Bostjan Poklukar and Croatian Davor Bozinović. "Our trilateral format – Piantedosi declared – is now a consolidated initiative and a model of cooperation that allows us to carry out a common strategy both at European level and in the Balkan region. Today's signing of the Memorandum on joint patrols at the external border of Croatia, strengthens cross-border cooperation in the fight against traffickers and illegal migration through the Balkan route".
"The significant reduction in flows – continues the Minister of the Interior – certified by Frontex along the Balkan route (-78%), and the data on movements recorded at the border demonstrate that the temporary reinstatement of controls at our borders has had a deterrent effect on irregular entries. As regards Italy, from 21 October 2023 to 15 January 2025, approximately 6200 irregular migrants were tracked upon entry at the border with Slovenia. Of the more than 2300 people reported, 318 were arrested, 160 of whom were for aiding illegal immigration. In the same period, with specific reference to the prevention of terrorism, 188 people were reported to the Schengen Police database". "From the beginning – concluded Minister Piantedosi – the controls have been implemented in such a way as to cause the least possible impact on the movement of people and vehicles, even if the final common objective remains, of course, that of the full restoration of freedom of movement in the Schengen Area as soon as conditions allow it".
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