The State Secretary in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Sašo Petruševski, participated in and led the Macedonian delegation at the annual conference of the Fifth Sarajevo Migration Dialog, held today (April 21, 2026) in Sarajevo, organized by the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with support from Switzerland.
This conference marks the conclusion of the project "Strengthening Migration Management in the Western Balkans." This project focuses on regional cooperation and strengthening institutional capacities to address security concerning humanitarian and migration challenges, as well as maintaining regional workshops. During the conference, the Regional Declaration was reviewed and adopted, reflecting the key recommendations and priorities established at previously held workshops, and it envisions the establishment of a joint regional network for cooperation in the areas of migration management, border security, and asylum, in accordance with European Union standards and ongoing regional initiatives.
State Secretary Petruševski participated in the first session of this conference on the topic: "The Regional Declaration on Migration Management in the Western Balkans, Political Vision and Commitments." He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to exchange views and share experiences in migration management through this event. In his address, Petruševski referred to the Regional Declaration, which he assessed as a strategic framework and a mandate for the countries in the region to act together. He further emphasized that it is high time to move from statements to systems, from promises to projects, and from expressed will to measurable results.
"Collaboration in migration management is a tool for domestic stability, but also a strategic investment in our European future. By positioning MARRI (the Regional Initiative for Migration, Asylum, and Refugees) as a regional center through which communication and reporting will be conducted, a direction for further action and operational orientation of the Regional Declaration based on measurable goals is ensured," stated Petruševski.
On the margins of this conference, Secretary of State Sašo Petruševski participated in a bilateral meeting with the Special Envoy for Migration and Ambassador for Conventions of Denmark, Nikolaj Hejberg Petersen. The meeting was an excellent opportunity for exchanging ideas regarding the strengthening of migration management and regional cooperation, particularly from the perspective of implementing the new Regional Migration Management Program of the Kingdom of Denmark.
