The President of the Republic of Macedonia and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Gjorge Ivanov, paid a visit today to the southern border of the Republic of Macedonia in order to get apprised of the present condition and activities undertaken by the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, Intelligence Agency, Centre for Crisis Management, Border Police and the Foreign Police Forces Contingent as subjects involved in management of illegal migration.

President Ivanov inspected the Bogorodica Watchtower and the Temporary Transit Center near Gevgelija, the accommodation facilities for ARM members in Bogdanci, as well as the Ezero Watchtower in Dojran.

During the visit of Bogorodica Watchtower, President Ivanov reviewed the present condition of the Macedonia-Greek border. He was informed by the ARM members of the attempts at illegal crossing of the state border in the past period, as well as of the tactical measures and activities that are applied preventing the illegal crossings over the southern border. The competent institutions pointed out that in the past 3 months, 3300 attempts at illegal crossing of the southern border were prevented, most of which come from the Middle East.

President Ivanov also visited the Temporary Transit Center in Gevgelija where he was informed of the work of the humanitarian organizations by the representatives from Red Cross, International Organization for Migration, UNHCR which are located there and in addition he expressed his support for their continuous contribution and engagement.

The Macedonian President also spoke with the migrants which are presently accommodated in the Transit Center and Center. Moreover, President Ivanov met with members of the foreign police force which are deployed to control the area alongside the southern border with the support of the Macedonian security forces.

In the course of the inspection of the southern border, the Macedonian President visited the accommodation facilities of ARM in Bogdanci and Ezero Watchtower in Dojran. Accordingly, he was informed of present conditions, challenges and the method of operation of the forces in regard to management of attempts at illegal crossing at that part of our southern border, as well as of the accommodation and working conditions of the members of the Army of Republic of Macedonia.