SRF: Serbia is deliberately smuggling immigrants to Europe

Up to 1,000 immigrants per week are currently travelling from Austria to Switzerland, where only transit is passed and then continue immediately towards France. By comparison: Last winter was about 300 a week, it broadcasts albinfo.ch. The reason for considerable growth should be found in Serbia.

The Balkan nation has lifted the obligation for visas for five countries. Among them are Tunisia and India, for example, where the majority of migrants mentioned come from, using the Balkan “street”.

Many immigrants are now using the Serbian capital as a transit point to travel towards the EU. Florian Bieber, an expert for Southeast Europe, speaks of sf.ch concerning Belgrade's possible motives.

SRF News: Has Serbia removed visa requirements for some countries with secret intentions?

Florian Bieber: I don't think Serbia is trying to smuggle refugees into the EU. But this has to do with the fact that Serbia always has its own special foreign policy and also tries to maintain good bilateral relations with different countries. Especially for the fact that these countries support the Serbian stance on Kosovo. Establishing international alliances here is the most important priority for Serbia. Part of this may be the removal of the visa regime for several countries.

Vucinac is a master in organizing crises he can then solve himself. A year ago, for example, there was a case when many Iranians wanted to enter the EU through Serbia, albinfo.ch conveys. At the time, the EU put pressure on Serbia and restored the visa obligation for Iran. All this could be an attempt to distract the EU from other issues straining bilateral relations.