The European Border & Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX) deployed some one hundred patrol officers to the border of North Macedonia with Greece on Thursday.
The presence of Frontex personnel, who are assisted by North Macedonia police officers, is expected to contribute more effectively to the fight against irregular migration and cross-border criminal activity. Other benefits of this operation include the collection and exchange of operational intelligence, and the identification of potential security risks and threats.
Commenting at a special event held in Skopje, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Internal Affairs Oliver Spasovski noted that modern security challenges require a partnership approach and a shared response.
This operation is scheduled to last until January 2024 but could be extended.
In this vein, Frontex officers will soon be deployed on the borders of North Macedonia with both Serbia and Albania.
North Macedonia is the fifth country outside of the European Union where Frontex is deploying forces after Albania, Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
SOURCE; ANA-MPA
