We are fully committed to undertaking all measures which are required towards reducing the number of false asylum seekers, and our ultimate goal is to eliminate this phenomenon that represents a threat to the visa-free regime, not only for the Republic of Macedonia, but all countries faced with the problem, said Minister of Interior Gordana Jankuloska on Thursday.

"The MoI and other competent institutions are intensively working in several fields. We are implementing series of preventive activities aimed towards vulnerable groups, in order to acquaint them with the essence and content of the visa liberalization, so there are as less misled individuals as possible", Jankuloska told reporters after Thursday's presentation of the MARRI Migration Paper 2012.

She added the Ministry has also pressed criminal charges against individuals who organize such illegal asylum travel, whereas intensive controls of travel agencies, passenger transporters and all stakeholders concerned are conducted.

"On the grounds of all analyses and experiences we have acquired over the past three years since the visa liberalization introduction, we managed to detect the profile of the false asylum seeker and we are using the right to prevent the country exit of individuals who are not able to prove the purpose of their trip, i.e. those who are suspected of visa liberalization abuse, on the basis of the Schengen procedures and regulations", stressed Jankuloska.

According to her, the issue is complex and serious, which solution requires series of measures and activities, as well as regional cooperation and joint actions, but also exchange of best practices and experiences.