In the period from December 5 - 8, 2017, a delegation of the Commissariat for Refugees and Migrations of Republic of Serbia (SCRM) conducted a study visit to Greece under the auspices of the International Organization for Migration (OIM) and its project „Support to Strengthening Migration and Asylum Management in Serbia.“
The objective of this visit was to acquaint the employees of SCRM who work in the field and provide direct assistance to migrants with models developed by Greece in the process of migration management, especially in the area of reception and sheltering of migrants and vulnerable groups (children and women) in particular.
The delegation has visited accommodation centers for migrants in Drama, Kavala, Serres and Alexandria, has been acquainted with conditions in which migrants are accommodated and the manner in which the system of reception of migrants in the four aforementioned centers works.
This was a unique opportunity for professionals to meet their Greek colleagues and exchange experiences, particularly the ones related to overcoming challenges they encounter. Even though both countries are crucial on the Balkan route, there have been no opportunities so far for direct exchange of experiences and establishment of mutual cooperation.
During the visit to Greece, the SCRM delegation held a meeting with a representative of the Ministry of Migration Policy of Republic of Greece, Department for Trache and Macedonia, who presented the current state of affairs concerning the migrant crisis in the country, illegal migrant movement flows towards Western Europe and the frequent problems they encounter in their work.
The study group consisted of 27 participants, coordinators of centers managed by the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration. The delegation was headed by Commissioner for Refugees and Migrations Vladimir Cucić and Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gerginov. In addition to exchanging information and experiences, primarily those concerning the establishment of a system of migration management, it has been agreed that cooperation should continue, by organizing similar programs in the future.
The project „Support to Strengthening Migration and Asylum Management in Serbia“ is funded by the Embassy of the United Kingdom and implemented by International Organization for Migration (IOM).