The Minister of Interior of Croatia, Davor Božinović, has warned that the European Union will no longer tolerate countries under the visa-free regime to abuse their advantages by not aligning their visa policies.
Concerned about the high number of irregular migrants reaching the bloc through third countries that have a visa-free regime with the EU, Minister Božinović said that the authorities will strengthen the measures at the external borders, Schengen.News reports.
During the ministerial meeting held in Luxembourg, Minister Božinović also said that consequences will follow soon.
It will no longer be possible to look at the fact that someone comes to countries that have a visa-free regime with the European Union without consequences due to the fact that these countries have a visa-free regime with third countries, and then we practically get from commercial travellers, from so-called tourists, we get illegal migrants.
Around 40% of Irregular Migrants Reach Croatia Mainly Through Serbia & Bosnia & Herzegovina
As Minister Božinović revealed, about 40 per cent of irregular migrants into Croatia are citizens of Russia, China, and Türkiye.
The same disclosed that citizens of these countries mainly enter Croatia irregularly through Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which have a visa-free regime with the EU.
Once irregular migrants enter Croatia, they then either stay in the country without holding proper documentation or reach another country in the bloc and seek asylum or international protection.
Taking into account that countries with the visa-free regime are not taking measures to prevent irregular migrants from entering the EU from their territories and, most importantly, are not aligning their visa policies with the EU, Minister Božinović highlighted that the visa-free benefits will son be questioned for some countries.
This is something that will certainly not be tolerated anymore. the benefits that some get from the visa-free regime will be questioned.
Reintroduction of Visa Requirement Is Not in Any Country’s Interest, Minister Božinović Said
Asked whether the EU might decide to reintroduce visa requirements for certain countries that are not aligning their visa policies with the EU, Minister Božinović said that it is still too early to give a clear answer on the matter.
However, he noted that the reintroduction of the visa regime would not be in any country’s interest as their citizens would be significantly affected.
Minister Božinović said that third countries with a visa-free regime should realise as soon as possible that their practice of not aligning their visa policies with the EU is growing dissatisfaction.
