Austrian minister urges Western Balkan countries to join fight against terrorism

St. Pölten, 5 May 2015 (MIA) – The fight against terrorism and organized smuggling of illegal migrants requires close cooperation and an alliance with Western Balkan countries, Austria’s Interior Minister stated on Tuesday.

In regards to a meeting as part of the Salzburg Forum in St. Pölten on migration, terrorism and cyber security, Johanna Mikl-Leitner said there was a need of actions being taken in connection to asylum seekers and migration, Serbia’s Tanjug agency reported.

Last year alone, she added, 278,000 people arrived in EU countries illegally with 60% of those arriving via the Mediterranean and the rest by using the Balkan route.

“As a result, at the same time we are focused also on the Balkan route,” stated Mikl-Leitner urging an intensive cooperation to be established with Frontex, UNHCR and EASO.

She also pointed out that efforts were made to set up a network in the fight against persons that transported illegal migrants.

Furthermore, the Austrian Minister referred to the combat against terrorism noting that the matter required information to be shared with intensive engagement by Europol and Interpol.

“It is crucial Western Balkan countries to join Europol’s future institution for reporting radical contents online,” Minister Mikl-Leitner stressed.