Today, more than ever, it is important that countries and institutions work together to make migration safer and more orderly, said the Minister of the Interior, Filip Adžić.
"The contemporary moment before us poses great challenges now that a large number of people are leaving their homes in search of safety," Adžić said at the conference "Sustainable migration management in the Western Balkans", held in Skopje.
He emphasizes that Montenegro supports migration policies, based on human rights and transparency, and is committed to a strong partnership with the civil sector, regional and international organizations.
"This issue imposes several challenges, both those related to the reception and protection of migrants, as well as challenges in the fight against organized groups that carry out smuggling of vulnerable categories," said Adžić about illegal migration.
As he says, "MUP has a key role in enabling effective access to international protection, by proactively identifying persons who need this protection, by referring them to appropriate procedures, and above all by establishing a system of adequate protection and integration of these persons into Montenegrin society".
Adžić reminds that, "Montenegro has a humanitarian tradition of providing refuge to victims of persecution as a result of wars, and that it shows that it knows how to manage a well-organized process of preparations that was also supported by international humanitarian organizations."
"Our focus is on the continuous strengthening of the fight against smuggling networks, as well as the improvement of mechanisms aimed at preventing human trafficking, with a special focus on persons from Ukraine," Adžić said. He adds that it is important to work on preventing and monitoring the spread of misinformation in the region, investing in cyber security and protecting critical infrastructure.
As a special challenge, Adžić emphasized the need to continue working on solving the issue of the return of illegal migrants.
"Strengthening the mechanisms for cooperation with the countries of origin of these migrants would contribute to shortening the process of determining the identity and increase the possibilities for their more successful return," concluded Adžić.
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