Poposki – Koenders: Cooperation and joint solutions are needed to solve this crisis

Joint decisions and coordination of efforts are needed to address the refugee crisis, concluded today in Skopje the Foreign Ministers of Macedonia and the Netherlands, Nikola Poposki and Bert Koenders.
Poposki said that it is in Macedonia’s interest to cooperate with neighbouring countries, but also on a bilateral or European level, everyone needs to support countries in dealing with the challenge. He went on to say that Macedonia is working to establish full control and prevent illegal crossings and do not want a repeat of the events of last summer in Greece.
The Dutch Foreign Minister expressed gratitude to Macedonia for meeting its obligations and responsibilities associated with the registration of refugees, noting that transit is not the solution.
Koenders said that while Netherlands has the EU Presidency, believes that it is particularly important to talk with Austria, Greece and Macedonia to find an appropriate solution to the migrant crisis. He said that border control must be according to European and international standards and expressed hope that a domino effect can be avoided and an uncontrollable state.
When asked about the Austria’s announcements to close the border, Koenders said that this week at the EU summit they will focus on how to avoid unilateral decisions.
“ I live in a country which took in around 60,000 refugees last year, who applied for asylum and we are implementing enhanced controls on our borders, just like Macedonia”, said Koenders.
The Dutch Foreign Minister, after his meetings in Skopje, he will visit the Reception Centre for Refugees “Vinojug” in Gevgelija, and then will leave for Athens to meet with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to discuss more efficient surveillance techniques of the external borders of the EU and to improve the registration of refugees.