Handover ceremony of the EU funded Reception Centre for Irregular Migrants in BiH

All media representatives are cordially invited to attend the inauguration/handover ceremony for the Reception Centre for Irregular Migrants in BiH, which will take place on Monday 23 November 2009, at 11.00 hrs, in Lukavica, Istočno Sarajevo (near the football stadium “Slavija”). Ambassador Dimitris Kourkoulas, Head of European Commission Delegation to BiH, Mr Mijo Kresic, Acting Minister of Security of BiH and Mr Dragan Mektic, Director of the Service for Foreigners within the BiH Ministry of Security, will address the participants.

The European Union provided over 1.1 million euro for the construction of the first Closed Reception Centre for Irregular Migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina, aimed to provide for efficient and effective processing of cases of irregular third country nationals in BiH. The Centre will provide for lawful detention of such categories of foreign nationals in conformity with international and EU standards and best practices, including but not limited to: first aid and assistance; respect for the traditions, culture and religion; guarantee for the safety of the foreign nationals treated there; the protection of the personal data of every foreign national; preparation for the leave of the foreign nationals to the country of origin or to another country. The European Union also provided funds for the supply of furniture for the Centre and vehicles for the transportation of the illegal immigrants to their countries of origin.

The construction and inauguration of the new capacities of the Reception Centre for Irregular Migrants was one of the Visa liberalisation conditions which is thus fulfiled.

Programme of the ceremony:

11.00 – 11.05 h  Opening of the event (BiH anthem) and moderator’s address; 11.05 – 11.15 h  Address by Ambassador Dimitris Kourkoulas, Head of EC Delegation to BiH; 11.15 – 11.25 h  Address by Mr Mijo Krešić, Acting Minister of Security of BiH,; 11.25 – 11.35 h  Address by Mr Dragan Mektić, Director of the Department for Foreigners within the Ministry of Security of BiH; 11.35 – 11.45 h  Ribbon cutting ceremony 11.45 – 12.30 h  Cocktail  

For more details please contact: Service for Foreigners Affaire Tel./ 061-237-465; E-mail: stranci@sps.gov.ba;

Europa.ba