Construction of the thorn wire fence on the Serbia-Macedonia and V border. A Declaration From the EU

Ana Pisonero, a European Commission spokeswoman, told Free Europe Radio that this institution, when it comes to managing migration, offers considerable financial and technical assistance to partners in the Western Balkans.

To that end in 2015, the Commission has earmarked over 100m euros for Serbia.

“Anyway, this funding does not include building fences. Also, this is not part of any agreement, as was wrongly reported”, Ana Pisonero said.

Free Europe Radio has reported that Serbia has begun to deploy a thorn wire fence on the border with northern Macedonia, near Presevo. This thorn wire fence would have to defeat illegal massive border crossings, have confirmed to Radio Free Europe, local self-government authorities in Presevo.

Eagle Arifi, chairman of the Presevo municipality, which lies south of Serbia and 380km from Belgrade, has told Radio Free Europe that establishing the thorn wire fence is part of the agreement with the European Union (BE).

We think that the thorn wire fence is in the function of securing borders outside the EU for refugees, who are probably expected to frequent us on this part of the Balkan Route”, Arifi said.

Serbia is located on the so-called Balkan Route”, through which migrants and refugees try to reach EU countries.

According to the latest available data, which Serbia's Commission for Refugees published on June 20th at 18 asylum and accession centres in Serbia, about 4,800 people are standing.

Authorities in Serbia are not open to provide details concerning the thorn wire fence, which Serbia is placing on the border with northern Macedonia in the vicinity of Presevo.

Even after several attempts, Radio Free Europe has failed to answer questions addressed to Serbia's Ministry of Internal Affairs.