The European Union, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands delivered specialized equipment to the Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the aim of strengthening the operational readiness of officers and improving border management capacity.
The handover included a package of equipment with specialized magnifiers for viewing documents, heartbeat detectors for finding people in hidden compartments of trucks and other vehicles, in situations that often involve inhumane conditions and life-threatening risks, and a patrol boat for responding to river incidents, including search and rescue operations.
This handover is part of a wider package of assistance for capacity building that combines specialized equipment and training, with a total investment of around 200,000 euros, under the EU4FAST project.
“Efficient border management today requires modern technology, skilled personnel and strong institutions, and this support is designed to support all three aspects. This handover is an example of the practical and concrete support that the European Union, together with its member states, acting as ‘Team Europe’, provides in Bosnia and Herzegovina in facing the challenges of migrant smuggling, human trafficking and border management as a whole. Strengthening the capacity of the Border Police also directly helps Bosnia and Herzegovina in harmonizing with EU standards, especially within the framework of the chapter 23 and 24 of the EU accession process,” said Ambassador Luigi Soreca, Head of the EU Delegation and EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He added that the EU remains committed to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina on its European path, through reforms that strengthen security, the rule of law and regional cooperation.
He also pointed out that it is important for Bosnia and Herzegovina to update its plans for unforeseen situations and be prepared in case of an increased influx of irregular migrants.
Director of the BiH Border Police, Mirko Kuprešaković, emphasized the importance of the donated boat for the work of officers in the field.
“Modern equipment enables a faster, more efficient and safer reaction of our officers to all the challenges they continuously face in their daily work. This support comes at the right moment, when security challenges are more and more complex, and the need for modernization and strengthening of institutions’ capacities is more and more pronounced. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the European Union, the embassies of the Slovak Republic of Germany, Italy, France and the Netherlands, as well as to all the partners who participated in the implementation of the EU4FAST project,” said Kuprešaković.
He particularly emphasized Frontex’s significant support to the BiH Border Police, which contributes to strengthening operational capacities and work efficiency.
German Ambassador to BiH Alfred Grannas said that Germany is proud to contribute to this joint effort, combining national expertise with European resources to achieve concrete and sustainable results within the Team Europe approach.
“The engagement of GIZ and the German Federal Police particularly reflects Germany’s commitment to sharing practical experience and operational knowledge with partner countries from the Western Balkans region, especially Bosnia and Herzegovina. Last week we had a good example of what this means in practice: experts from the German Federal Police conducted specialized training for Border Police officers in BiH. The main focus was on document review and the use of heart rate detectors, directly linking the equipment to operational skills. Next week, the second training will be repeated for group of interns and I am delighted that we have established this practical and successful collaboration”, said Grannas.
Oliver Janser, project manager of EU4FAST, said that today’s handover is not just a delivery of equipment.
“It reflects a sustainable partnership built over years of cooperation, trust and shared responsibility. What we are witnessing today is the result of continuous joint efforts to strengthen capacity and respond to changing challenges at the border. Our cooperation is strategic and forward-looking. We build on what works, learn from experience and invest where it makes a real difference. Each contribution is designed to strengthen previous efforts, ensuring continuity, coherence and measurable results,” said Janser.
Support is provided within the framework of the EU4FAST project, a regional initiative that supports the fight against human trafficking and migrant smuggling across the Western Balkans worth more than 50 million euros.
The project is financed by the European Union, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany, the Ministry of the Interior of Italy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. It is implemented by a consortium of implementation partners, led by GIZ, he writes Klix.
