Dacic: Major decline in illegal migration on Western Balkan route

BELGRADE - Serbian Deputy PM and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic met with Austrian Federal Interior Minister Gerhard Karner in Belgrade on Tuesday, noting that all joint activities by Serbian and Austrian police at Serbian borders had resulted in a major decline in illegal migration, especially on the Western Balkan route.

"According to Frontex figures, the biggest decline of illegal migration is on our Western Balkan route - 72 pct in the first six months compared to the same period of last year," Dacic said.

He said the number of illegal border crossings registered in the first six months of last year was 54.014, compared to 10,389 in the same period of this year.

He said his ministry and Serbian police had always had good cooperation with law enforcement authorities in Austria in the fight against organised crime, illegal drug trade, terrorism and illegal...