German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser traveled to Sarajevo on Tuesday for an unannounced working visit in an effort to curb irregular migration through Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union.
The number of illegal entries through the Balkan state has increased recently. Government sources in Berlin say more people have traveled to Germany via Sarajevo since Serbia tightened controls at its airports.
In 2023, 35,000 more Turkish citizens entered Bosnia than officially left, in addition to approximately 14,000 Russians and 6,800 Chinese citizens.
The delegation traveling with Faeser included Federal Police Chairman Dieter Romann. Meetings were planned with the border police and central immigration authorities.
Bosnia is a candidate for EU membership and Germany is keen to help strengthen its police structures, based on the rule of law.
