Since setting up the original fence, the army has prevented 19.000, and the police 14.000 illegal crossings, and therefore we are now beginning the second phase of raising a security fence whose aim will be to prevent additional illegal crossings and appearance of illegal crossing points at our border, stated the President of the Republic of Macedonia, H.E. Dr. Gjorge Ivanov during his visit of the southern border line and the crisis affected areas.

This points to the fact - President Ivanov said - that by only allowing the entry of refugees from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, illegal migration of economic migrants has increased and they are trying to find all possible ways to avoid registration and illegally cross our border.

In order to prevent illegal crossings with counterfeit documents, the President announced the creation of a unique biometric registration fiche for migrants, to be issued at the border with Greece to people having stated their intention to transit until they reach their final destination.

"So far, the police has uncovered 5500 counterfeit documents.   On certain days, hundreds of such false documents have been detected, mostly passports and also documents issued by Frontex, as well as ID cards used by economic migrants from Africa and Asia in order to present themselves as refugees, stated President Ivanov.

The Macedonian President explained that a difference must be made between the security and the humanitarian aspect of this crisis.  The Republic of Macedonia, noted President Ivanov, is thankful to all countries, organizations, NGOs that help for the humanitarian part of the crisis, adding that the Republic of Macedonia needs greater assistance in tackling the security risks.

"So far, the entire security related aspect of the crisis has been handled by us, and in this sense, we have been given promises that were never kept.  We are using our own budgetary funds, funds of the Army and the police, stated President Ivanov, adding that the country needs help in the form of patrol vehicles, thermal cameras and other equipment for a more efficient handling of the migrant crisis.

President Ivanov expressed his gratitude for the presence of police forces from six friendly countries at the Macedonian – Greek border and he expressed an expectation for their support and presence in the future.  The Macedonian President emphasized that the Republic of Macedonia is ready to face all challenges and expressed his expectation that EU decisions will be more adequate to the weather conditions and new developments.

" According to all forecasts, the improvement of weather conditions will also mean a new wave of migrants and this is why we need to be ready to regulate illegal border crossings, in order to enable those who have the right to entry - refugees, to enter and reach their desired destination in the most humane way possible - President Ivanov stated.

Today, the Macedonian President was briefed about the overall conditions at the Macedonian – Greek border, as well as the activities taken by the Army and police in function of registering migrants and protecting the borderline against illegal entries.

At the London Summit dedicated to Syria and the Region, President Ivanov informed the European Leaders on the measures taken by Macedonia in order to handle the refugee crisis, the threat of illegal migration, as well as the increased security risks along the migrant corridor.  This weekend, the President of the Republic of Macedonia will take part in the Munich Security Conference, and will then leave for Prague, where Macedonia has received a special invitation to participate at the extraordinary summit of the Vishegrad group countries.