Dacic: Serbia, Hungary have succeeded in halting illegal migration to Hungary

BUDAPEST - Serbian Deputy PM and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said on Tuesday in Budapest Serbia's treatment of migrants was on a "high civilisational level" and that Serbia and Hungary had managed to halt illegal migration to Hungary almost completely.

"Serbia is an example of how migrants should be treated, be they illegal or regular. When it comes to irregular migration, together with Hungary, we have managed to halt the flow of illegal migration to Hungary almost completely, so the percentage of illegal crossings of the state border is down by more than 70 pct relative to last year," a statement released by the Interior Ministry quoted Dacic as saying.

Dacic, who was speaking after the 7th ministerial conference of the Budapest Process, added that a five-year action plan had been adopted at this year's session of the Process to divert migration to legal channels as much as possible, prevent further illegal migration and treat migrants in line with international norms and conventions.

Dacic also said much work needed to be done regarding a plan to sign readmission agreements and return migrants to their respective countries of origin.