Stefanovic: Fewer attempted illegal border crossings

BELGRADE - The number of attempted illegal crossings on the Serbian-Hungarian border has dropped, Serbian Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic has said during a meeting with Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner.

Stefanovic met with Mikl-Leitner late Wednesday to brief her on the current situation in the field of illegal migrations.

He said that the number of attempted illegal border crossings has dropped, while the number of criminal charges filed for people smuggling has risen significantly, the Serbian Ministry of Interior said in a statement.

Mikl-Leitner thanked Stefanovic for the quick reaction regarding illegal migration from Kosovo-Metohija, informing him of her ministry's efforts aimed at introducing a quick procedure for processing asylum requests.

The two officials also discussed improvement of cooperation in the field of high-technology crime and the fight against terrorism.

Mikl-Leitner invited Stefanovic to attend a March meeting on fighting terrorists and foreign mercenaries, and noted that a safer Serbia means a safer European Union.

She also offered unreserved support to Serbia's efforts to become a full EU member state.

Photo Ministry of Interior