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 and Germany.
The number of illegal entries through the Balkan state has increased recently.
Government sources in Berlin said on Tuesday evening that topics discussed with government representatives included border protection, cooperation on repatriation, visa practices and the fight against organized crime.
Since Serbia tightened controls at its airports, more people are traveling to Germany via Sarajevo, they say.
In 2023, according to the sources, 35,000 Turkish citizens entered and officially left Bosnia, in addition to approximately 14,000 Russians and 6,800 Chinese citizens.
The delegation traveling with Faeser included Federal Police Chairman Dieter Romann.
Bosnia is a candidate for EU membership and Germany is keen to help strengthen its police structures based on the rule of law, the delegation said.
