The European Union handed over a donation of 33 terrain vehicles "SsangYong" worth over EUR 800,000 to the Border Police and the Crisis Management Centre (CMC) on Friday.

The vehicles were procured under an EU funded "Special Measure" aimed at supporting the government institutions at national and local level. They are fit to negotiate heavy off-road conditions and seat 7 police officers. With the donation, national institutions will be able to step up their efforts to manage migration and combat migrant smuggling and cross-border crime.

Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn handed over the certificates for the vehicles, saying the donation represented a strong sign of the close cooperation between the EU family and Macedonia in managing the most serious refugee and migrant crisis in Europe in recent history.

"The size of this challenge that Europe and the world are faced with is unprecedented. The reasons are complex and there is no single cure. We need to help people and support countries that are trying to cope with the crisis and fully respect European and international standards", stressed Hahn.

According to him, close coordination is required among all stakeholders - EU members, partner-states, ministries and agencies involved in the process.

"The European Commission uses all instruments at disposal, providing humanitarian assistance in helping you strengthen border management. National authorities have also made enormous investments and I would like to commend them for their active role in the process", stressed Hahn.

He thanked over 120 border guards coming from EU member-states who have come to support their Macedonian counterparts at the Greek border.

"EU provides enormous financial assistance in supporting these border guards towards the border management and observance of international standards", added Hahn.

Minister of Interior Agim Nuhiu said the vehicles would strengthen the police's technical capacities, enabling its easier and more efficient functioning in line with modern standards in the management of challenges related to the fight against international threats and cross-border crime, especially in light of the migrant crisis.

Vice Premier Arbr Ademi said the crisis has demonstrated that the region should join the EU and its security system as soon as possible, because joint efforts and cooperation are the most appropriate response to all challenges.

Public Security Bureau director Mitko Cavkov said the Macedonian Ministry of Interior has applied a coherent and comprehensive approach in treating all aspects of the refugee crisis, both from a humanitarian and security aspect.

CMC director Agron Buxhaku said the donation would contribute to the enhancement of the institutional efficiency, with Macedonia serving as a model how to defend European values, securing justice and protection of human rights.