The number of migrants trying to enter Croatia illegally has not increased recently, and an aircraft of the European Union's Frontex external border and coast guard agency is providing assistance in monitoring the situation on the ground, Interior Minister, Davor Bozinovic, said on Thursday.

“The Frontex aircraft sends pictures of the sea and land border in real time, which makes it possible for us to plan and deploy our personnel accordingly. This can make it easier and cheaper for us to be as efficient as possible, and the Croatian police are known for their efficiency,” Bozinovic told reporters during his visit to Struga Banska, a village near the Bosnian border, about 100 kilometres southeast of capital Zagreb.

Bozinovic said that the number of illegal migrants trying to enter the country has not increased, although they make such attempts every day.

“I think that every day they get a very clear and concrete message that the Croatian police protect the law and order, and the interests of Croatia,” he added.

Bozinovic said that Croatia is treating those in need humanely, but will not allow migrants to enter an EU member state illegally, aided by smugglers.

“That’s our policy, and I am confident that other countries on the so-called Balkan route will sooner or later start doing what Croatia is doing. That’s the only viable way to cope with this challenge,” Bozinovic said.

A Frontex aircraft has been deployed to monitor Croatia’s land and sea borders with neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Italy since last Wednesday. Images of the border that are transmitted in real time to Frontex headquarters in Warsaw are also relayed to the national coordination centre in Zagreb, the national maritime centre in Zadar, and the border control operations centre in Cetingrad in central Croatia.

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