Slovenian officers to assist Macedonian border police: official

Slovenia on Tuesday deployed another contingent of police officers to the Macedonia-Greece border to help local police address the challenges of the refugee crisis, Macedonian alternate vice minister of interior Oliver Andonov said.

Slovenia has been constantly supporting Macedonia to cope with the refugees crisis that Macedonia is going through, especially in terms of border control and protection, he added during his visit to a migrant reception center near Gevgelija, southeast of Macedonia.

The contribution is vital from a political and security point of view as Slovenia understood the issues Macedonia faced with migration, Andonov.

Ten police contingents from Slovenia have done rotations in the country so far. The experience Slovenian policemen are acquiring on the Macedonia-Greece border is of great importance, according to Slovenian Ambassador Milan Jazbec.

Macedonia has been playing a key role in regulating and managing the migrant crisis along the Balkan route. "Thus, it deserves praise and concrete assistance on its path to Euro-Atlantic integration. We will transfer our knowledge to Macedonia," said Jazbec.

"The bilateral cooperation is excellent and a rare example of how it's done," he added, pledging Slovenia would continue to support Macedonia. Endite