Defense Minister Zoran Jolevski and Chief of Macedonian Army (ARM) General Staff, Lieutenant General Metodija Velickovski on Monday visited the servicemen assisting the border police on the country’s southern border with Greece.

Jolevski and Velickovski were briefed about current developments on the field, coordinating activities with the institutions and the local self-government, as well as the task which is being performed to prevent migrants from crossing the border line illegally.

“Our main objective is to provide assistance to state institutions, i.e. the Interior Ministry’s border police to better tackle the influx of migrants. The Macedonian Army assists migrants to cross a part of the border with Macedonia where a registration center has been established. Upon being registered, the migrants entering Macedonia are transported to the northern border,” stated Jolevski.

Groups of 200 migrants are allowed to enter the country and leave Macedonia once they are registered. If there is a surge of migrants, they can also transit through Macedonia by buses, according to him.

“I have been informed that activities are being coordinated with Greek authorities. They inform us about the movement of migrants in order for Macedonia to be prepared. So far, we have been organized very well and I hope it will remain the same in the future,” he stated.

Asked about the temporary deployment of ARM forces on the border with Greece, Minister Jolevski said the Macedonian Army would be engaged for 30 days under the decision of the Supreme Commander to declare state of emergency.

“If need be, based on evaluations made by ARM, MoI and other institutions, the army can be ordered to extend its engagement, however this measure requires to be backed by the Macedonian Parliament,” noted Jolevski.

On Aug. 20, Macedonia declared a state of emergency in an attempt to stem the flow of migrants deploying the army on its southern border with Greece.