Albania–Montenegro border

The Albania–Montenegro border separates the Republic of Albania and Montenegro in Southeast Europe, it has a length of 186 km (116 mi).[1] At its southern end lies the Adriatic Sea, while its northeastern end terminates at the triple point with Kosovo (although this is contested by Serbia). The border passes through Lake Skadar, the largest lake in the Balkan Peninsula.

Sign at the Montenegro border (Crna Gora in Montenegrin) from Albania.

Economic migration

The border between Albania and Montenegro is viewed by many economic migrants as a route into the prosperous economies of Central and Western Europe.

In 2018 entrepreneurial smugglers began to offer a new route into the European Union, running from Greece through Albania, Montenegro and Bosnia to Croatia, a member state of the European Union.[2][3][4][5] About 11,000 migrants from Asia and North Africa took this route and registered their arrival within the European Union in Bosnia in the first half of 2018, compared with 755 migrant arrivals in 2017.[6]

Troop deployment

On 11 July 2018, Montenegro announced that it was deploying regular army troops along the border to stop illegal migrants from entering the country at the Bozaj crossing from Albania, 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from the Montenegrin city of Podgorica.[7]

Barrier

A border fence to block illegal entrants from crossing the border from Albania into Montenegro was proposed in May 2018.[8][2][9] In June, Hungary offered to supply 23 kilometres (14 mi) of razor-wire fencing to Montenegro.[5][10] Montenegrin Prime Minister Dusko Markovic denied that his country was considering building a border fence in early July.[11] On 24 July 2018, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met with Markovic and offered to help Montenegro to build a 25 kilometres (16 mi) long fence along the border.[12] Markovic thanked Orban for his offer, but responded that responded that "For now, there are no reasons for that."[13]

Vojislav Dragovic, who is Head of the Border Department, has stated that a fence may be necessary because Albanian authorities have failed to abide by the bilateral readmission agreement that obliges them to admit migrants turned back by Montenegro.[8]

Albanian community in Montenegro
Main article: Albanians in Montenegro

Montenegro is also said to be concerned about recent growth of the small Albanian community in Montenegro.[10]

References
  1. "Albania". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. 16 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  2. "Montenegro may build fence on Albanian border to stop migrants". Reuters. 20 May 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  3. Lakic, Mladen (13 June 2018). "Bosnia to Seal Borders if Austria Blocks Migrants". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  4. Annibale, Federico (25 July 2018). "The New Balkan Route". Jacobin. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  5. "Playing politics with refugees". The Economist. 9 June 2018.
  6. "Bosnia Struggling With Influx Of Migrants After Other Routes Shut Down". Radio Freee Europe. 23 August 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  7. Tomovic, Dusica (17 August 2018). "Montenegro to Deploy Troops to Deter Migrants". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  8. "Bolstering borders in the Balkans". European Council on Refugees and Exiles. 24 May 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  9. "Montenegro looking into building migrant fence on Albanian border". Tirana Times. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  10. Salyi, Denes (29 May 2018). "Why is Montenegro Planning a Fence on its Border with Albania?". Hungary Today. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  11. Tomovic, Dusica (3 July 2018). "Montenegro and Albania Vow to Confront Challenges Together". BalkanInsight. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  12. "PM Orbán Visits the Strongest Man in Montenegro, Promises 25 km Border Fence". Hungary Today. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  13. Timovic, Dusica (24 July 2018). "Hungary's Orban Offers Montenegro Help in 'Defending' its Borders". BalkanInsight. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
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