Thirteenth contact points video conference was held between the contact points nominated after the Western Balkans Route Leaders’ Meeting held on 25 October. The objective was to follow up on the agreement reached at the meeting and set out in the Leaders’ Statement.

Conference was held between the contact points nominated after the Western Balkans Route Leaders’ Meeting held on 25 October. The objective was to follow up on the agreement reached at the meeting and set out in the Leaders’ Statement. Senior officials from the countries and agencies present at the meeting had a detailed discussion on recent trends concerning external borders and reception capacity:

Leaders’ Statement Points 1 and 9 on exchange of information and effective cooperation:

Participants reiterated their commitments to a swift and steady exchange of information between the contact points which should be used as an early warning mechanism to ensure a collective cross-border approach and avoid unilateral actions which may trigger chain reactions.

Leaders’ Statement Point 13 on border management:

A broad discussion on the different border management points allowed for an exchange of information between the countries and organisations during the call, including the following key points:

  • Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia informed about the improvement of exchange of information and coordination of actions related to border management as well as the strengthening of Frontex support at the border between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
  • The Commission informed about the outcome of a video conference held between the national police authorities from all participating countries. A follow-up video conference is expected to take place in the course of next week.
  • Austria, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Serbia, Slovenia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia informed about the practices currently being carried out at their internal borders.
  • The Dutch Presidency informed about a political level meeting which is foreseen to take place in the margins of the Informal Justice and Home Affairs Council on 25 February between Austria, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Serbia, Slovenia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to discuss the recent measures taken on the Western Balkans route.

Leaders’ Statement Points 5 and 6 relating to support and shelter to refugees:

The UNHCR provided an update on progress towards the delivery of the 20,000 reception places which will be provided in private accommodation via a voucher scheme with partners in Greece. This is part of the total of 50,000 additional reception places which Greece committed to provide at the Leaders Meeting. The UNHCR is making good progress towards the target. 1,000 places have already been established. A partnership agreement on 12.150 additional reception places to be established gradually in the course of 2016 through the provision of 150 hotel vouchers per day and the rental of 2,400 apartments is expected to be concluded in the coming days.

The group will reconvene again for the next weekly video conference on 28 January, and will continue their bilateral contacts in the meantime to ensure full communication, coordination and cooperation to address the migration flows and to ensure humane treatment of those seeking asylum in Europe.