15.10.2015.

Minister Gasic in Presevo

Defence Minister Bratislav Gasic and his associates visited today the reception centre for migrants in Presevo, where he met with representatives of the Gendarmerie, the staff of institutions working on the reception and care of refugees, as well as members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces deployed in tasks of medical care and terrain arrangement around the detention centre.

Speaking about the current situation in this town in southern Serbia, which only during the night received more than 1,000 refugees, Minister Gasic pointed out that this is a continuation of the activities of all state organs and ministries that are responsible for the care and passing of migrants through our country.

- Today, we visited the SAF members working on the arrangement of the area and clearing the streets, so we could before winter get these people off the streets and the traffic could normally take place. Also, what we have repeatedly emphasized, this is a well-coordinated team of the Government of the Republic of Serbia - Minister of Defence said, adding that positive results in overcoming the migrant crisis are the result of successful cooperation between the state and civil institutions, for which we have received praise from all sides.

According to Minister Gasic, another reason for his visit is joint work, because the arms factory "Prvi partizan" from Uzice donated to the Serbian Armed Forces three containers, which it gave to the Gendarmerie, to accommodate members who are deployed in the field in increasing numbers.

- The first three containers, fully equipped, made by the Ministry of Justice, have just arrived, and I hope that in the next month we will get another three, also from donations - Minster Gasic explained, expressing gratitude to all aforementioned institutions for mutual aid and understanding.

As pointed out by Minister Gasic, by the first days of winter, it is planned to complete a large parking lot for buses coming, an access road next to the railway station and the entrance to the camp will be on the other side, which, as he said, will significantly unburden the roads and the enter into Presevo. Also, in a building within the reception centre, in the coming period, it is planned for more than 600 beds to be available for accommodation of migrants.

Minister Gasic also concluded that the conditions for accommodation in the reception centre are far better than during the first visit a few months ago, and that members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, as part of a team of institutions engaged in the field, will continue helping in the coming period as well.

State Secretary of the Ministry of Interior Jana Ljubicic said that the donation of the containers is a good example of cooperation between institutions in a harmonious state's response to the current situation, expressing gratitude to both the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces for the donation that will be of great help for accommodation of the personnel of the Ministry of Interior deployed in the field.