Bosnia and Frontex to expand joint border operations

Bosnia's Border Police confirmed this to FENA, recalling that Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Union signed an agreement on June 11, establishing the framework for Frontex’s operations in the country. The deal set the conditions for the agency’s deployment at BiH’s borders and defined the scope of joint border control operations.

Under the current Operational Plan, which outlines the practical details of cooperation, Frontex officers are already deployed at Sarajevo International Airport and at the Zupci crossing near Trebinje, where they work side by side with BiH Border Police. For now, Sarajevo Airport will remain the only airport in BiH with Frontex staff.

Officials stressed that Frontex officers operate strictly in coordination with the BiH Border Police and under their command. Their activities are focused on three core areas: verifying documents and detecting false identities, combating cross-border crime such as smuggling and trafficking, and providing technical and logistical support.

As part of the cooperation, Bosnia and Herzegovina expects Frontex to deliver official vehicles and specialised equipment for detecting forged documents, as well as advanced border surveillance technology, including drones, thermal cameras, and mobile monitoring systems. These resources were agreed upon during negotiations on the Operational Plan for “Bosnia and Herzegovina 2025,” when BiH requested not only personnel but also material and technical support.

Irregular migration remains the central security challenge for the country’s borders, the Border Police said, noting that illegal crossings are often tied to other crimes such as drug smuggling, arms trafficking, and human trafficking. They emphasised that international cooperation and information sharing are crucial, while also highlighting the knowledge transfer Frontex officers can provide during joint missions.

Beyond personnel support, the deployment of Frontex’s specialised equipment will boost BiH’s overall border security and help curb cross-border crime. Officials also acknowledged that Frontex’s presence partly compensates for the domestic force’s staffing shortages, though new police recruitment is planned.

Frontex representatives stressed to FENA that their officers always work under the host country’s command and in full compliance with BiH law, international law, and EU standards. The agency underlined that its operations are always tailored to local conditions, noting that experiences in countries like Serbia, Montenegro, and Moldova show that close coordination with national authorities is essential for success.

“The same approach will apply in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Frontex said, “with the shared goal of supporting national authorities in protecting the country’s borders.”