Source: Pobjeda  03.02.2014.

Center for asylum seekers, as the first of its kind in Montenegro, is open in Spuz on February 3rd, 2014.

“Montenegro, as a country that borders with the European Union (EU), since Croatia joined the EU in mid 2013, became interesting for the asylum seekers. Therefore, we had to find the better way to solve the issue of asylum seekers”, said Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Predrag Boskovic.

The Minister reminded that the number of asylum seekers in Montenegro has risen sharply in recent years from only 9 in 2009 to 3500 in 2013.

Head of the EU Delegation in Montenegro, Mitja Drobnic, said that the opening of the Centre for asylum seekers represents a positive step, stating that it is necessary to make additional efforts for consolidation of an efficient and effective system of migration and asylum.

“The consolidation of an efficient and effective system of asylum and migration is one of the major issues that Montenegro must deal with within the Chapter 24. The Progress Report states that additional efforts are needed in order to ensure full compliance with the EU acquis in the field of migration and asylum. Moreover, it is important to strengthen the operational capacity of the people who work in this area, improve collaboration among institutions and ensure the protection of vulnerable groups”, said Drobnic.

Manager of the Centre, Dusko Jovicevic, said that the facility can accommodate 65 people. He also pointed out that the country currently has 95 asylum seekers.