EACS Situation Room is a center for situation monitoring in crisis situations, which is activated when necessary in the event of major security changes in the world.
We are currently monitoring the “Migration Horizon in the Balkans”, where we are dealing with early indications of a potential crisis.
Situation Room – Balkan migration horizon: Slovenia, 31.5.2021
Slovenia is a gateway to northern and western European countries, with considerable transit movements across its territory.
Slovenian State Secretary Stanislav Raščan met with Roland Schilling, Regional Representative of the UNHCR for Central Europe.
21 police officers from Estonia, Lithuania, and Poland began join patrols with Slovenian border police officers in May.
More details in the article at the link.
(Picture source: Slovenska Policija/BoBo)
Situation Room – Balkan migration horizon: Croatia, 24.5.2021
Croatia is located at the junction of the two major migrant routes through the Balkans and therefore faces a lot of pressure on its borders.
The country is facing numerous allegations regarding illegal pushbacks and inhumane treatment of migrants and refugees.
One migrant was killed when he stepped on a landmine in central Croatia and several others were wounded.
More details in the article at the link.
(Picture source: Reuters/Branko Filipovic/Stringer)
Situation Room – Balkan migration horizon: BiH, 17.5.2021
There are 6,734 refugees and migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina of whom 4,991 are accommodated in reception facilities.
1,500-2,500 persons are estimated to be squatting outside of formal accommodation.
In March, 1,269 people arrived in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the highest number since October 2020.
More details in the article at the link.
(Picture source:Matteo Placucci/New Frame)
Situation Room – Balkan migration horizon: Serbia, 10.5.2021
There are 196 refugees, 210 asylum-seekers, 135 stateless people in Montenegro, as well as 12,258 internally displaced persons.
Until now, Montenegro has seen fewer illegal migrants than other countries along the Balkan migrant route.
Smugglers often attempt to transport illegal migrants across the Adriatic Sea to Italy or through the northern part of the country into Bosnia and Herzegovina.
More details in the article at the link.
(Picture source: EPA/Fehim Demir)
Situation Room – Balkan migration horizon: Serbia, 3.5.2021
Serbia is a transit country on the so-called “Balkan route” for many migrants and refugees. In March, there were 3,931 newly registered people.
Migrants experience inhuman treatment along Serbian borders from all neighbouring countries.
A peer-taught programme in Serbia is helping vulnerable unaccompanied children to protect themselves from violence and exploitation as they seek safety.
More details in the article at the link.
(Picture source: Idro Seferi II/DW)
Situation Room – Balkan migration horizon: Albania, 26.4.2021
There are 129 refugees, 17 asylum-seekers, 1031 stateless people, and 2078 persons of concern in Albania.
Albania is a transit state that is becoming an increasingly popular migrant path to EU.
Frontex and the Albanian authorities have signed a mutual agreement to reinforce cooperation.
More details in the article at the link.
(Picture source: K.Nietfeld/picture-alliance/dpa)
Situation Room – Balkan migration horizon: North Macedonia, 19.4.2021
There are 308 refugees, 51 asylum-seekers and 562 stateless people in North Macedonia.
The country is facing criticism for unlawfully detaining migrants as witnesses in proceedings against smugglers and unlawfully pushing people back to Greece.
The growing numbers of migrants at the border indicate that the country will likely remain a major migrant thoroughfare.
More details in the article at the link.
(Picture source: Imago/ZUMA Press)
Situation Room – Balkan migration horizon: Greece, 12.4.2021
There are 91,945 refugees and 80,784 asylum seekers in Greece.
The UNHCR and the EU called upon Greece to investigate hundreds of cases of suspected pushback of migrants.
Greek police have arrested a group of migrants pretending to be travelling as a volleyball team using fake passports.
More details in the article at the link.
(Picture source: REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis)
Situation Room – Balkan migration horizon: Turkey, 5.4.2021
There are more than 4.6 million foreign nationals present in Turkish territory.
The EU and Turkey have agreed to extend a 2016 agreement aimed at preventing irregular migrants from reaching Europe.
The head of the EU Frontex agency warned that after the COVID-19 pandemic many more migrants and refugees will try to reach Europe.
More details in the article at the link.
(Picture source: picture alliance/ Photoshot I)