EU to create joint refugee body for Western Balkans

Vincent Degert, head of the European Union’s delegation to Serbia, announced on Thursday the formation of a joint regional body to resolve the refugee problems resulting from the breakup of Yugoslavia.

“We invited Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Montenegro, Serbia and Croatia to join in the collaboration so as to ease the problems of refugees who are unwilling to return,” said Degert, speaking from the southern Serbian town of Prokuplje.

Degert said he expected the formation of a joint program of these four former Yugoslav republics by the fall. The main focus is expected to be property rights and pensions. In addition, Degert said the issues faced by refugees remain complex and that the EU would be forming a special commission to address the rights of refugees from the Yugoslav wars.