Croatian Candidate Labels Borders ‘Permeable Cheese’ amid Migration Crisis

Miro Bulj, the presidential candidate representing the Croatian party known as ‘The Bridge’, has expressed his strong views on the migration issue affecting the nation. He argued that the Schengen Area, a passport-free zone involving most European countries, has failed. His main concern is the high incidence of illegal immigration, stressing that Croatia’s borders are overly accessible, likening them to a piece of permeable cheese.

Bulj has gone so far as to suggest that the infiltrating migrants may contain extremists and terrorism affiliates, who supposedly travel to third countries before winding up back in Croatia on government-sanctioned flights. He strongly advocates for an immediate removal of all undocumented migrants as he considers this one of the most significant issues plaguing Croatian society.

His statements find support within the Croatian government. They corroborated his claims with data collected over the past year identifying 23 migrants as potential threats to public safety or national security. Interestingly, these individuals originated from various countries including Russia, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, and Iran.

As per the Dublin Regulation, which allows for the transfer of asylum seekers to the first EU country they entered, a significant number of migrants are brought to Croatia from other parts of Europe. Once in Croatia, local police receive them at the airport, from where they are taken to an immigration detention center.

Upon arrival at the detention center, the migrants face deportation. The deportation process includes being placed on a flight with two police escorts assigned for their supervision. This is just one of Croatia’s measures to deal with illegal migration.

The Croatian Intelligence Agency (SOA) is closely involved with a mandate to determine the degree of threat each migrant might pose. Positioning themselves as guardians of public safety and national security, the Croatian authorities are committed to strict enforcement of relevant laws in managing this predicament.

However, Croatia is not the only nation experiencing difficulty in handling this issue. In the region, many countries are sheilding themselves from the influx of migrants. Bosnia and Herzegovina, located at the center of the Balkan migration route, is particularly strained.

Migrants are frequently arriving in Bosnia-Herzegovina from Greece and Bulgaria, often intending to use the country as a laying point on their journey towards the European Union. Many individuals apply for asylum during the registration process as a provisional solution to prolong their stay within the country.

A significant number of migrants gather in Sarajevo and the Una-Sana Canton region within Bosnia-Herzegovina. Most migrants are male, aged between 19 and 35, and originate from countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

Difficulties arise, not just from the sheer number of migrants, but also from conflicts that spark among them. Many of these conflicts arise from territorial disagreements. The management of the migration crisis, especially the maintenance of peace and order among migrants, wife a demanding task for Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Bosnia’s vital role in the Balkan migration route cannot be overstated. However, coping with the associated challenges remains a colossal task requiring continuous, strenuous efforts. Other neighboring nations such as Hungary, Slovakia, and Serbia face similar situations.

Leaders from these nations convened in Slovakia, seeking solutions to counter illegal migration. Their shared problem had been recognized, and the delegates emphasized the need for joint, coordinated efforts. The potential benefits of cooperation in managing this widespread issue were strongly highlighted in their discussions.

Subsequently, the concerted efforts of these nations have achieved a notable reduction in migrant numbers. Statistics reveal an 80 percent decrease this year, demonstrating the real impact of a collaborative stance against illegal migration.

The delegates echoed sentiments of shared experience and responsibility, urging for enhanced regional cooperation. They also used this meeting to express their concerns over the ongoing migration situation and its possible repercussions.

It was noted that approximately eight million asylum applications were made within the EU since 2015, significantly highlighting the gravity of the situation. Authorities also reported around 3.8 million illegal border crossing attempts. The figures offer a reminder of the persistent challenges that illegal migration continues to present, not just for Croatia, but for numerous countries across Europe.