Djurovic: Frontex to also be deployed on Serbian borders that are not EU's outer borders

BELGRADE - Under a new agreement to be signed between the EU and Serbia, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, will also be deployed on Serbia's borders with neighbouring Balkan states that are not the EU's outer borders, Asylum Protection Center Director Rados Djurovic said on Friday.

Speaking to Tanjug, Djurovic said an existing agreement allowed for joint patrols on Serbia's borders with Bulgaria, Hungary and Croatia - all of which are also the EU's outer borders.

"With a new agreement that was given the green light by the Council of the EU yesterday, Frontex is also seeking to be deployed on our borders that are not the EU's outer borders, but borders with our Balkan neighbours, above all, North Macedonia and Montenegro, from where a part of irregular migration - refugees and migrants - is coming to our country," Djurovic said.

He said Frontex police operating in Serbia had visible insignia on their uniforms and vehicles and had so far not been able to perform any checks on Serbian borders or move without the presence of and guidance by Serbian border police.

He said the broad immunity handed to Frontex in Serbia included exemption from criminal, civil and disciplinary liability.

Serbian courts have almost no jurisdiction over Frontex members, who are responsible directly to the Frontex director, Djurovic said.

"But, so far, the presence of our police officers alongside them in all operations has been a guarantee that they will not commit any crime or make any other move that would imply some kind of an inconvenient situation," Djurovic said.