EU Donates Equipment to Support BiH Border Police in Fight Against Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking in Human Beings

The European Union, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands, handed over specialised equipment to the Border Police of Bosnia and Herzegovina aimed at strengthening the operational preparedness of officers and improving border management capacities. The handover that took place on 27 April 2026 in Sarajevo included equipment package of specialised magnifiers for document examination, heartbeat detectors to identify persons concealed in hidden compartments of trucks and other vehicles – situations that often involve inhumane conditions and life-threatening risks – and a patrol boat to respond to incidents on rivers, including search and rescue operations in cases where migrants attempt dangerous crossings and risk drowning. 

The handover forms part of a broader capacity-building package combining specialised equipment and training, with a total investment of around 200,000 euro, under the EU4FAST project.

“Effective border management today requires modern technology, skilled personnel, and strong institutions, and this support is designed to contribute to all three aspects. This handover demonstrates the European Union’s practical and tangible support, together with Member States under the Team Europe approach, to Bosnia and Herzegovina in addressing the challenges of migrant smuggling, trafficking in human beings and border management overall. Strengthening the capacities of the Border Police also directly contributes to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s alignment with EU standards, notably under Chapters 23 and 24 of the EU accession process. The EU remains committed to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina on its European path, through reforms that strengthen security, rule of law and regional cooperation. It is moreover important that BiH updates its contingency plans and is prepared in case of increased irregular migration,” said Ambassador Luigi Soreca, Head of EU Delegation and EU Special Representative in BiH. 

The director of the BiH Border Police Mirko Kuprešaković emphasised the importance of the donated boat for the work of the officers in the field. 

“Modern equipment enables a faster, more efficient and safer response of our officers to all the challenges they continuously encounter in their daily work. This support comes at the right time, when security challenges are increasingly complex, and the need for modernization and strengthening the capacities of institutions is increasingly evident. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the European Union, the embassies of the Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, France and the Netherlands, as well as all partners who participated in the implementation of the EU4FAST project. I would especially like to emphasize the significant support of Frontex to the BiH Border Police, which contributes to strengthening our operational capacities and work efficiency. Your support and trust further motivate us to continue building a professional, modern and efficient BiH Border Police,” Kuprešaković said. 

“Germany is proud to contribute to this joint effort, combining national expertise with European resources to deliver concrete and sustainable results under the Team Europe approach. In particular, the engagement of GIZ and the German Federal Police (Bundespolizei) reflects GER’s commitment to sharing practical experience and operational know-how with partner countries form the WEB region, especially with BiH. Just last week, we had a good example of what this means in practice: experts from the German Federal Police conducted a specialized training for Border Police officers from here. The main focus was on document examination and the use of heartbeat detectors, directly linking equipment with operational skills. Next week the training will be repeated for another group of trainees and I am delighted that we established this practical and successful cooperation,” said German Ambassador to BiH Alfred Grannas. 

“Today’s handover is not about a single delivery of equipment. It reflects a sustained partnership built over years of cooperation, trust, and shared responsibility. What we are witnessing today is the result of continuous joint efforts to strengthen capacities and respond to evolving challenges at the border. Our cooperation is strategic and forward-looking. We build on what works, we learn from experience, and we invest where it makes a real difference. Each contribution is designed to reinforce previous efforts, ensuring continuity, coherence, and measurable results,” said Oliver Janser (EU4FAST)

The support is provided under the EU4FAST project, a regional initiative supporting the fight against trafficking in human beings and migrant smuggling across the Western Balkans worth over 50 million EUR. The project is financed by the European Union, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Italian Ministry of the Interior, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is implemented by a Consortium of implementing partners, led by the GIZ.