New route for migrants – through Bosnia – appeared in Balkans

The new Balkan route through Bosnia is used by migrants from the Middle East, Asia and Africa trying to reach Western Europe, Euractiv informs. 

In 2015 and 2016, migrants reached Europe mainly through Serbia. However, the so-called Balkan route was closed in March 2016. 

Bosnia with its mountains has been avoided by migrants till recently. But an alternative route from Greece through Albania, Montenegro and Bosnia has emerged. 

The route corresponds to the ones, which are used by arms and drugs traffickers, and therefore, it is possible to make the conclusion about the establishment of human smuggling groups. 

According to the Bosnian authorities, since the beginning of the year, 700 migrants entered the country illegally, and nearly 800 persons were intercepted at the border. The authorities fear that with the end of winter, the migrant flow may increase significantly. 

Bosnian Security Minister Dragan Mektic has recently admitted that the situation “gets complicated” stating that there are currently from 45,000 to 50,000 migrants between Greece and Bosnia, and many of them may try to reach the EU via Bosnia.