Discussions on migration and organised crime: Federal Councillor Beat Jans pays working visit to Austria and Serbia

Federal Department of Justice and Police

Bern, 03.07.2024 - Federal Councillor Beat Jans visited Austria and Serbia from 1 to 3 July. During his working visit to Vienna, he met with Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner to discuss migration and security issues. In Belgrade, Mr Jans met President Aleksandar Vučić and held talks with Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dačić and Justice Minister Maja Popović. The main topics were the international situation, irregular migration, combating people smuggling and organised crime. In addition, the head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) gained an insight into the situation on the ground by visiting an asylum centre.

Both irregular migration in Europe and organised crime are common challenges that require a high degree of international coordination. In travelling to Vienna and Belgrade, Mr Jans reaffirmed Switzerland's commitment to deepening cross-border and partnership-based approaches to security and police cooperation in Europe.

Joint effort to tackle people smugglers

On 2 July, Mr Jans visited the Joint Operational Office (JOO), where he also met with the head of the Joint Coordination Platform (JCP). The aim of the JCP is to coordinate border management, returns and the fight against people smuggling along the eastern Mediterranean route. The JOO serves as a regional operational platform for investigations into international networks involved in people smuggling and human trafficking. Switzerland is endeavouring to improve the exchange of police information in this area.

On the same day, Mr Jans met with Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner to discuss security policy issues and the migration situation. The two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to further intensify their cooperation.

Strengthened cooperation with Serbia

At a working meeting in Belgrade on 3 July, Mr Jans and Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dačić discussed long-standing cooperation under the migration partnership.

Mr Jans spoke with Justice Minister Maja Popović about international legal assistance and the criminal prosecution of crimes under international law. He recognised the efforts of his counterpart to reform the justice system. He stated that this should bring Serbia even closer to European standards.

During a meeting with representatives of the European Union (EU) and Frontex, the EU border and coast guard agency, Mr Jans was briefed about their cooperation with Serbia. Migration management is a key area in which the EU supports Serbia. They also discussed the agreement between the EU and Serbia on the support provided by Frontex to the Serbian border protection authority. Mr Jans also met with civil society representatives and commended their work on human rights and protecting refugees.

Switzerland supports projects in Serbia

At the Obrenovac asylum centre Mr Jans was met by the Serbian Commissioner for Refugees and Migration, Nataša Stanisavljević. To date, Switzerland has supported around 20 migration-related projects in Serbia. Switzerland will continue to support Serbia on migration, focusing on strengthening the asylum system, integrating and protecting vulnerable migrants.

Address for enquiries

FDJP Communications, [email protected], T +41 58 462 18 18

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