The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said on Monday 11 January that a failure to manage migrants would have serious consequences on the reputation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, describing the humanitarian conditions in which hundreds of migrants live in the country as “disastrous”.
In a meeting with the Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Milorad Dodik, the High Representative called on the country’s authorities to work on lasting solutions, including the opening of centres more evenly distributed throughout the country. “The EU counts on those in office in the country to take full responsibility, urgent action and do what it takes to provide immediate assistance and work on longer-term solutions”, the European External Action Service said in a statement.
The EEAS also recalls that the EU has repeatedly called on the authorities to rapidly step up their actions to address the grave humanitarian situation in the canton of Una-Sana and to provide basic and safe living conditions for all those concerned who are still sleeping in the cold in extreme conditions.
The EU has provided financial support of more than €88 million (see EUROPE 12628/17) and has also fully equipped the reception centre in Bira, which has remained unused, according to the diplomatic service. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)