EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina Boost Border Control Cooperation
Jun 17, 2025
Category: Border and Security Border Security EU Migration News
On 11 June 2025, the European Union (EU) and Bosnia and Herzegovina signed a landmark agreement aimed at enhancing border control and migration management.
The Status Agreement, signed in Brussels, allows Frontex, the EU’s border agency, to work directly with Bosnia’s Border Police.
This new deal marks stronger teamwork between the EU and Bosnia, one of its key neighbors in the Western Balkans.
Bosnia lies along the so-called “Western Balkans route,” which many migrants and asylum seekers use when trying to reach the EU.
With Frontex’s presence in Bosnia, both sides aim to make the borders safer and manage who enters more effectively.
What the Status Agreement means for border control
The agreement allows Frontex to deploy trained EU border officers, also known as the standing corps, to work alongside Bosnian officers.
Border guards will be visible at borders, airports, and other entry points between Bosnia and the EU.
These teams will help check passports, look for fake documents, spot signs of human trafficking, and use surveillance tools.
Bosnian border authorities will lead the operations, with Frontex staff providing operational and technical support.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina is a vital partner in ensuring effective migration management along the Western Balkans route,” said Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy.
Magnus Brunner, EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, emphasized that collaboration yields tangible results.
He added, “Thanks to close cooperation with Western Balkan partners, irregular border crossings along this route have dropped by nearly 95 percent compared to 2022.”
Brunner also underlined that the Western Balkans play a crucial role in maintaining Europe’s safety and stability.
“Today’s agreement is another step to keep working towards a strong, coordinated action in protecting our shared space,” Virkkunen stressed.
The EU aims to enhance border control and migration systems to reduce irregular entries, ensure safer travel, and deter smugglers.
Boosting border control capacity, improving fairer treatment
Hans Leijtens, Executive Director of Frontex, stated at the 2025 European Police Congress that managing migration involves “building trust, fostering partnerships, and ensuring our actions reflect our values.”
Frontex is prepared to support Bosnia and Herzegovina with its resources, expertise, and personnel to ensure border security and safety.
Along with sending Frontex officers, the EU has donated about €715,000 (or 1.4 million KM) worth of special equipment to Bosnia’s Border Police.
This includes:
- 25 drones
- 30 thermal cameras
- 5 heartbeat detectors
- Mobile trailers for trained police dogs
- Training for border officers on how to use these tools
These tools will help officers identify individuals crossing the border in remote areas, such as forests and mountains.
Frontex states that these support and joint efforts will enhance border checks while maintaining fairness and respect for all migrants.
Although the primary focus is on security, the EU has made it clear that protecting human rights is also a key concern.
The new agreement includes rules to ensure that migrants are treated fairly and in accordance with international law.
Frontex operations in Bosnia will adhere to EU laws that protect the dignity and safety of all individuals, including those seeking asylum.
Border control and migration challenges in the Western Balkans
Bosnia plays a significant role in the EU’s Western Balkans Action Plan, created in 2022.
The goals of the EU Action Plan on the Western Balkans are to:
- Lower the number of people crossing borders illegally
- Make border checks stronger
- Improve how asylum requests are handled
- Send back people who don’t have legal permission to stay
So far in 2025, the number of people crossing the EU’s borders from the Balkans without permission has gone down.
The EU attributes this to improved teamwork and enhanced border controls in the region.
Leaders in Europe support this new deal and believe it can be a model for how to balance strong border control with fair treatment of migrants.
Other observers view the agreement as a model for striking a balance between migration control, fairness, and partnership.
The deal not only addresses immediate border challenges but also supports long-term cooperation.
A path toward EU membership
This agreement is a significant milestone for Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path to EU membership.
By working with Frontex and aligning with EU rules, Bosnia demonstrates its readiness to assume more responsibilities as a future Member State.
Borjana Krišto, Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has consistently expressed Bosnia and Herzegovina’s dedication to European integration.
This includes the Status Agreement, which confirms the partnership with the EU and the commitment to joining the bloc.
Before this agreement, only Bosnia and Kosovo didn’t have a formal deal with Frontex.
Now, Bosnia joins Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia in strengthening their partnership with the EU.
A stronger partnership for the future of border control
The agreement is already provisionally in effect, meaning Frontex can begin working with Bosnia immediately.
However, it will become fully official only after approval by the European Parliament, the Council of the EU, and Bosnia’s national leaders.
This step-by-step process ensures everything is legally approved, allowing operations to begin without delay.
This new partnership between the EU and Bosnia is more than just a technical agreement; it reflects growing trust and a shared responsibility.
By working together on migration and security, both sides are making Europe safer and preparing Bosnia for deeper integration into the EU.
The agreement shows that cooperation, accountability, and respect for human rights can coexist with effective border management.