By Marjana Doda
Editor-in- Chief
The Minister of Interior of North Macedonia Mr. Oliver Spasovski has said in an exclusive interview for ARGUMENTUM.al that the Open Balkans and the Berlin Process are complementary processes that complement each other and aim for advancement of the cooperation between the countries of the Western Balkans, that is, the establishment of a common Western Balkan market, with the aim of better connection with the European one.
“That is why I believe that both initiatives should continue to exist, develop and initiate as many initiatives for regional cooperation as possible, because this is the need of the citizens of the region,” he said.
Further Mr. Spasovski spoke with concern over the migration along the Western Balkan route as well as the impact of Russian aggression on Ukraine. According to him, due to the increase in attempts by irregular migrants to enter the EU in 2022 via the Western Balkan migration route, we agreed at this Forum in Tirana that migration management is a common challenge, but also a common responsibility to be solved by a close partnership between the EU and the Western Balkans.
In the meantime, he praised the establishment of the new regional Operational Partnership to Combat Smuggling for strengthening law enforcement and judicial cooperation against criminal smuggling networks and increase of border management capacities in the Western Balkans, which, with the support of EU funds, will further strengthen cooperation.
Touching upon the security situation at the state borders, the Minister noted that it is currently generally favorable and stable, but taking into account that all global developments and regional processes have an impact on North Macedonia, the main challenges remain illegal crossing, migrant smuggling and secondary movements of migrants, while no more serious threats to public order and peace and public health have been registered as a result of the migrant crisis.
Regarding the aspect of strengthening the rule of law in the security sphere, the Minister said that in the past period two reform processes have marked their action – the establishment of the new national model for interception of communications and, in general, the reform of the intelligence services. “These reforms were aimed at creating professional, independent and accountable institutions, democratization of society, and thus the creation of guarantees for respect for basic human freedoms and rights.”
Mr. Spasovski revealed that the effects of Russian military aggression on Ukraine and its consequences on crime, including cross-border crime, were discussed in the Forum in Tirana last week.
Asked if there is coordination between Albania and North Macedonia regarding border protection, the Minister said cross-border cooperation with all neighboring countries is at a very high level. “In particular, cross-border police cooperation with the Republic of Albania is excellent, it takes place in all forms, we have mixed patrols and regular meetings at all three levels. Of course, the exchange of information through the joint contact center for police cooperation Qafasan functions according to the planned dynamics and specific needs, as well as the joint border crossing Dzepiste-Trebiste,” he said.
The Interior Minister Spasovski had a message for the Macedonian community in Albania as follows: “We listen to everyone’s voice, everyone is important!”
Below is full interview:
Argumentum.al: Honorable Minister, first let me thank you for this exclusive interview to Argumentum.al. You have been in Tirana for 2 days in the framework of the EU-Western Balkans Ministerial for Internal Affairs and Justice. Which are the challenges faced by the Western Balkans in general and North Macedonia in particular regarding security?
Mr. Oliver Spasovski: We live in a world of rapid changes, where global geopolitical developments, world crises inevitably reflect on our everyday life, dictating our future activities in order to deal with them. Here, I would first of all mention the migration movements on the Western-Balkan route, as well as the impact of Russian aggression on Ukraine. The analytical observations of FRONTEX indicate that the migration pressure in the Western Balkans region during 2022 has increased, especially on the northern borders in the region with Serbia and in Austria. During 2022, over 178,000 illegal migrant crossings at and between border crossings were reported by countries along the Western Balkan route, which is 75% more than the same period in 2021.
Due to the increase in attempts by irregular migrants to enter the EU in 2022 via the Western Balkan migration route, we agreed at this Forum in Tirana that migration management is a common challenge, but also a common responsibility to be solved by a close partnership between the EU and the Western Balkans. What I emphasized at the Forum, taking into account our experience, is that the ability and capacity of border management of Turkey and Greece, as countries in whose territories a large number of migrants are stationed, plays an important role for both the Eastern Mediterranean and the Western – Balkan route. According to analytical observations, migration pressure in the Western Balkan region during 2022 has increased, especially on the northern borders in the region with Serbia and in Austria. In North Macedonia, this year we note a slight increase of 7% in attempts to illegally cross the country, unlike last year, but also a decrease of 27%, compared to 2020.
Strengthening monitoring of trends along the route and of border management, including using Frontex’s presence and mandate in the region will contribute to reducing that pressure. The Republic of North Macedonia has already signed the Status Agreement with Frontex, and other partner countries, such as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia, are expected to negotiate and conclude this Agreement as soon as possible. At the Forum, we also emphasized the need for quick harmonization of the visa policy of the Western Balkans countries with the visa policy of the EU, while the specific commitment of Serbia to end several visa-free regimes by the end of 2022 and the first step that it did in this regard were welcomed. Regarding our country, I would like to point out that short-stay visas have been unilaterally abolished for third-country nationals, who are nationals with a permanent or temporary residence permit issued by an EU/Schengen member state, as well as for third-country nationals who hold valid multiple-entry visas for the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
The new regional Operational Partnership to Combat Smuggling for strengthening law enforcement and judicial cooperation against criminal smuggling networks and increase of border management capacities in the Western Balkans, which, with the support of EU funds, will further strengthen cooperation through joint investigations, stronger information sharing, joint law enforcement and judicial training and capacity building was welcomed in the direction of the strengthened efforts to combat the smuggling of migrants, where the Republic of North Macedonia recorded an increase of almost 100% in detected cases of smuggling, i.e. an increase of more than two and a half times in the number of smuggled migrants. In relation to other challenges, the need to establish an efficient mechanism for the return of migrants, voluntarily and forcibly, to the countries of origin, was established as one of the main prerequisites for the efficient management of illegal migration. Since the impossibility of return is primarily the result of the lack of readmission agreements signed with the relevant countries of origin, but also of the impossibility to establish their identity, i.e. to carry out appropriate checks with the competent services in their home countries. And in that part, the support from the EU will be necessary for the entire region.
– The assessment made in the country’s progress report for 2022 by EC highlighted that much better progress has been achieved in full harmonization with the EU’s common foreign and security policy. However, how is the security situation within the borders of North Macedonia?
Yes, to my great satisfaction, in the Progress Report of the EC, in the section of Chapter 24 – Justice, Freedom and Security, whose bearer is the Ministry of Interior, same as in the previous report, progress is noted, especially in the implementation of the Joint Action plan for fight against terrorism, in the fight against drug trafficking, in the adoption of strategic documents in the field of border management and migration, progress is also being noted in improving the capacity for financial investigations, as well as in international police cooperation.
Regarding the security situation at the state borders, it is currently generally favorable and stable, but taking into account that all global developments and regional processes have an impact on North Macedonia, the main challenges remain illegal crossing, migrant smuggling and secondary movements of migrants, while no more serious threats to public order and peace and public health have been registered as a result of the migrant crisis.
The numbers also speak in the context of this. In the first ten months, 22,806 attempts to illegally cross the borders were prevented, or almost five thousand attempts more compared to the same period last year. Most of these illegal crossing attempts, in fact, as in previous years, were prevented at the southern border with the Republic of Greece – 20,858. At this border, an increase of almost 30% was recorded compared to the same period last year.
The activities undertaken to prevent criminal activities related to migrant smuggling resulted in the detection of 89 cases of smuggling of 1,328 migrants. One of the main prerequisites for effective management of borders and migrations is effective international cooperation. I believe that the Republic of North Macedonia is the most adequate example of this in the region. Namely, since December 2015, the joint international operation with the help of IOM has been continuously implemented on the southern border, in which there are foreign police officers from 8 European countries, 7 of which are members of the EU (Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia, Croatia and – Serbia) with a maximum number of up to 160 police officers at one time and which, since March 2016, has also been supported by the European Commission. And as I already mentioned, we recently signed the Agreement with Frontex.
-During the visit of EC President Ursula von der Leyen to Skopje, the European Union and North Macedonia signed an agreement on operational cooperation regarding border management with Frontex. What exactly does this agreement deliver for North Macedonia and how important is it for the European Union and North Macedonia?
Once again, I would like to express my satisfaction with the Agreement between the Republic of North Macedonia and the European Union for operational activities carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in the Republic of North Macedonia, which we signed together with European Commissioner Johansson on October 26, during the visit of the President of the European Commission, Von der Leyen to our country. The signing of the Agreement itself, in addition to its historical value, also has a great security significance for us, because in partnership with the European Union we will provide sustainable, permanent solutions in dealing with illegal migration and cross-border crime, and thus more secure borders and greater security for our citizens and citizens of the Union.
Or in more detail, with the conclusion of the Agreement with the European Union, a legal framework was created for the deployment of border management teams of the European Border and Coast Guard in the Republic of North Macedonia and it will contribute to efficient management and dealing with the challenges of migration and potential future threats , and thus also towards dealing with serious crime with a cross-border dimension. At the same time, this agreement will contribute to more secure borders, better border control, and thus greater security for our citizens. It will enable rapid deployment of FRONTEX personnel and equipment or of foreign police officers at critical border points, and in cases of sudden and rapid deterioration of the situation, it would provide opportunities for secure and continuous exchange of information and data, including operational knowledge, intelligence data, video and aerial surveillance products, satellite images and similar.
I must mention that the Republic of North Macedonia has also in the past cooperated closely with the Union in the management of migration flows and in the prevention of illegal immigration and cross-border crime, and the cooperation with Frontex began in 2009 based on the Working Agreement for establishment of operational cooperation, thus significantly contributing to the strengthening of the operational capacities of the border police of the Republic of North Macedonia, but this agreement opens the door for deeper and more intensive cooperation with the member states of the European Union. Finally, this agreement is an expression of the common commitment to define sustainable, permanent solutions in dealing with illegal migration and cross-border crime.
– North Macedonia seems to have made progress in regard to strengthening the rule of law in recent years. How difficult is it to deal with corruption, especially when it extends to the highest level of a state?
From the aspect of strengthening the rule of law in the security sphere, in the past period two reform processes have marked our action – the establishment of the new national model for interception of communications and, in general, the reform of the intelligence services. These reforms were aimed at creating professional, independent and accountable institutions, democratization of society, and thus the creation of guarantees for respect for basic human freedoms and rights. In addition to the strongly expressed political will to fully fulfill the EU recommendations, a strong motivation for the reforms was the restoration of trust in state institutions, trust that the state acts in compliance with the law and in accordance with high ethic and professional standards.
Seen from today’s perspective, the two biggest reforms – the interception of communications and the reform of the intelligence services have achieved their goal. The National Security Agency exists as a separate state body, built according to NATO standards, and also the functioning of the OTA has overcome the large number of objections and shortcomings that led to massive violations of human rights.
As reform initiatives that contributed to greater control over the work of the police, I would mention the establishment of the External Control Mechanism, which consists of two components: the special Department within the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office for prosecuting organized crime and corruption and the External Mechanism for Civil control at the Ombudsman.
And in terms of the results of the Ministry of Interior, if we ended last year with a 50% increase in the detection of crimes related to corruption, this year we are continuing at the same pace. Activities in this area are intensified in a coordinated and targeted manner, so this year 87 criminal acts with corrupt elements were discovered, for which 117 perpetrators were reported, causing material damage of over 2.4 million euros.
– The Russian military aggression against Ukraine brought uncertainty to Europe and the Balkans. Given the EU-Western Balkans forum in Tirana, can you mention, please, which are the measures that North Macedonia is undertaking in the fight against terrorism and cyber threats? As a matter of fact, Albania is experiencing a bitter experience regarding cyber attacks…
Now everyone understands how important it is to establish a system resistant to cybercrime, because in recent years cyber threats are among the most significant and for those reasons they are rightly treated as an integral part of national and international security. Defense and security sectors are increasingly dependent on the functionality of ICT systems. Hacker attacks on key computer systems can actually cause even more damage than classic military attacks.
In the past period in the Republic of North Macedonia, there were several attempts to attack the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Agriculture, attempts that want to collapse the entire system. Only web pages were attacked, but not data, because there is a system that means defense. From the point of view of the Ministry of Interior, there are two elements in the section of reports – one is an attack on the systems that the institutions have, and the second is reports from citizens for various criminal acts committed electronically. Where specific data, IP addresses, social network data is obtained, where an appropriate charge can be brought, it has been brought. But somewhere it cannot, not even through the inclusion of international legal aid.
In the area of improvement of the legal regulation, a lot has been done in the past few years. The National Cyber Security Strategy 2018-2022 is being implemented in the Republic of North Macedonia, which was developed in accordance with the EU Cyber Security Strategy and the NATO Cyber Security Policy and Commitment – to ensure a safe, secure, reliable and resilient digital environment, in benefit of citizens, businesses and public administration. Also, a National Council for Cyber Security was established, according to the latest NATO standards, composed of members from several relevant institutions in the Republic of North Macedonia. Recognizing the necessity of protecting vital systems according to European standards, North Macedonia is currently drafting a Law on Critical Infrastructure, which should establish the foundations of a system that will unite all stakeholders, including the private sector.
In addition to the regulation, the capital project in the direction of building a digital infrastructure with a modern ICT data center, which was built in Prilep according to all security standards, is of utmost importance. Funded with 3.25 million euros of pre-accession aid from EU IPA funds, as well as with 150,000 euros from the Ministry of Interior, the Center is a back-up (reserve database) for key, vital information systems in the country and will guarantee that they will function if from any reason the operation of the primary information system is threatened and will preserve the data in case of natural or man-made disasters. In addition to the Ministry of Interior, the Disaster Recovery Center is currently used by several other state institutions, and we are open to cooperation with all other entities.
– Which are the challenges of border security in North Macedonia besides refugees?
In the context of this issue, I would return to the Forum in Tirana, where we discussed the effects of Russian military aggression on Ukraine and its consequences on crime, including cross-border crime. Although in North Macedonia this situation does not have a direct reflection over the situation with organized and serious crime, taking into account that the number of Ukrainian refugees and families who have sought refuge in our country is still small, unlike the neighboring countries of Ukraine, above all the EU member states, however, from the war in Ukraine, the secondary effects, that is, the indirect consequences for the region, are mainly felt. Namely, organized crime and all its forms are quite flexible and dynamic, so they quickly adapted to new developments related to Russian aggression. In this context, the smuggling of weapons, excise goods, the misuse of Ukrainian documents (original or fake) in connection with the smuggling of migrants and illicit drug trade have been observed. Furthermore, human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, targeting refugees from Ukraine, represents a key foreseeable risk to be aware of. In that direction, we are constantly strengthening the capacities to fight against human trafficking, whereby I would emphasize the establishment of the new Operational Team for the identification of victims of human trafficking, composed of representatives of state institutions and the non-governmental sector.
Also, a threatening potential for the region is the circulation of large quantities of weapons, which gives the opportunity to obtain weapons and explosives more easily in an illegal way, which speaks of the need for a wider international control effort. Otherwise, within the framework of the illegal trade in weapons, in the Republic of North Macedonia this year, 142 crimes were detected, for which a total of 145 perpetrators were criminally reported, which represents an increase of 10% compared to last year.
But what I would also like to mention is the uncompromising fight against drug trafficking in these areas. During this year alone, we intercepted seven international marijuana transports on the following routes: Albania-North Macedonia-Greece (three seizures), Albania-North Macedonia-Turkey, Albania-North Macedonia-Bulgaria, Albania-North Macedonia and Kosovo-North Macedonia -Turkey, as well as one international transport of cocaine on the Netherlands-Macedonia route and of precursor R-2-R phenylacetone, which is the main precursor for obtaining amphetamine-type stimulants, on the route from China -Turkey-North Macedonia. In 2022, we also note an increase in the suppression of criminal groups, that is, in 2022, 10 criminal groups were suppressed, 190.7 kilograms of marijuana, 15,452 cannabis sativa stems, 2,500 milliliters of anhydride and over 20 tons of “phenylacetone” precursors were seized. In addition to this, a group was suppressed that installed an illegal laboratory for the production of synthetic drugs amphetamine, methamphetamine and ecstasy on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and then sold the illegally produced synthetic drugs on the territory of Bulgaria, and transported part of it to North Macedonia for further sale.
-Is there a coordination between Albania and North Macedonia regarding border protection not only from the illegal crossing of refugees but also against organized crime, human trafficking, drugs, etc.?
Cross-border cooperation with all neighboring countries is at a very high level. I believe that all of us from the region are fully aware that our mutual cooperation is necessary to deal with all forms of cross-border crime, from illegal attempts to cross the borders to the suppression of migrant smuggling, but also in the area of serious forms of crime, such as human trafficking, the prevention of drug and weapon smuggling, etc., which I spoke about earlier. In particular, cross-border police cooperation with the Republic of Albania is excellent, it takes place in all forms, we have mixed patrols and regular meetings at all three levels. Of course, the exchange of information through the joint contact center for police cooperation Qafasan functions according to the planned dynamics and specific needs, as well as the joint border crossing Dzepiste-Trebiste.
I must also mention the joint participation in many regional projects, which serves, among other things, for the exchange of knowledge and experiences of the police services, and in this direction also the joint trainings of the police officers from the two countries, all with the aim of better preparedness and greater efficiency in dealing with all forms of crime.
– Mr. Minister, how do you assess the progress of the Open Balkans initiative now that the Berlin Process has been reinvigorated? Some concrete agreements were signed between the 6 countries of the Western Balkans in the Berlin Summit on November 3. Is the Open Balkans initiative being avoided?
Exactly, within the framework of the recent summit of the Berlin Process, the leaders of the six countries of the Western Balkans signed three regional mobility agreements. The agreements refer to mutual recognition of higher education qualifications in the countries of the Western Balkans, mutual recognition of higher education qualifications for doctors of medicine, dentistry and architects, as well as freedom of movement with ID cards in the Western Balkans. The signing of these international agreements should strengthen cooperation between Macedonia, Albania, Serbia, B&H, Montenegro and Kosovo in the area of reform processes, joint markets, mutual recognition of professional qualifications, free movement of people and goods and should contribute to an accelerated regional economic growth and development.
Here I would like to mention that the benefits of the same agreements have already been largely determined and applied in the form of agreements within the framework of the Open Balkans, which is another proof that the Open Balkans and the Berlin Process are complementary processes that complement each other and aim for advancement of the cooperation between the countries of the Western Balkans, that is, the establishment of a common Western Balkan market, with the aim of better connection with the European one.
That is why I believe that both initiatives should continue to exist, develop and initiate as many initiatives for regional cooperation as possible, because this is the need of the citizens of the region. The Western Balkans is a region with inexhaustible potential, so all benevolent regional initiatives are welcome, including as a serious potential and additional input for historical shifts forward in the socio-political environment of the region. After all, both the Open Balkans and the Berlin Process represent commitments for a stable region, for the rule of peace, for cooperation and for economic development and an indigenous initiative for the Europeanization of the region, with the one and only goal of the Western Balkans becoming part of the European Union, now being already as bith a strategic and security issue.
– Except for being neighboring countries, Albania and North Macedonia are closely connected to each other because of the Albanian-Macedonian population living in both countries. Is there concrete support from official Skopje for the Macedonian community in Albania? What is your message for the Macedonian minority but also for our compatriots?
“We listen to everyone’s voice, everyone is important!”, would be the message to the Macedonian community in Albania. We are obliged to take care of them, because they are active promoters of the country they come from, pivots in the protection and promotion of ethnic, cultural and linguistic uniqueness. It is a message aimed at all our compatriots who live and work in other countries, so I have already established a practice of regularly meeting our expatriates during my working stays abroad. The purpose of such meetings is to initiate and accelerate already started activities to improve the conditions of our citizens in the countries where they live.
Naturally, during my working visit to Albania, in the premises of the Embassy of the Republic of North Macedonia in Tirana, I had a meeting with representatives of several associations of the Macedonian community in the Republic of Albania who live in the border areas and together with the president of the Macedonian Alliance for European Integration Vasil Sterjovski , presented their ideas and thoughts, among which the Macedonian community in Golobrdo expressed interest in finding a way to extend the working hours of the Dzepishte Trebishte border crossing, which would greatly improve the living conditions of the local population.
We, as Government allocate funds for scholarships for studies in North Macedonia, which represent concrete support for them, several projects are underway to improve living conditions in the border areas, and an action plan is being prepared, how North Macedonia and its institutions can through specific projects help Macedonians in Albania, to expand cooperation between local units on both sides of the border and foster economic and cultural cooperation.
To my great pleasure, the Macedonian Cultural and Information Center was opened last year in Tirana, as a place for initiating new ideas for numerous mutual activities in the field of culture and art, namely in the music-stage, drama, literary and publishing activities, but also a space where the Macedonian culture, tradition and art will be promoted in the neighboring Republic of Albania, a bridge between the East and the West, built for the acquaintance and cooperation of two culturally rich European countries towards a common home – the European Union. This center also represents an excellent opportunity for timely and original information to the citizens about the current cultural trends in our country.
During the meeting with the representatives of the Macedonian associations in Albania, we also discussed the opportunities opened up by the Open Balkans initiative, both in the area of opening new or revitalizing existing border crossings, and in general, in the area of free movement of people, goods and services, and I also announced the joint session of the Governments of the Republic of North Macedonia and the Republic of Albania, which will be held in the middle of this month in Skopje, which represents an opportunity to initiate solutions for the challenges of the Macedonian community in Albania.
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