At the Salzburg Forum held in Zagreb, officials from EU Member States and the European Commission emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation in tackling irregular migration, organized crime, and environmental offenses. The Forum, which brings together nine countries to promote international police collaboration, highlighted the need for stronger ties with the Western Balkans, particularly Bosnia and Herzegovina. Croatian and Slovenian Interior Ministers, along with European Commissioner for Home Affairs Magnus Brunner, underscored that ensuring the security of the EU requires close cooperation with neighbouring countries.
Commissioner Brunner stressed the importance of harmonizing visa regimes, noting that inconsistencies are contributing to the misuse of tourist visas, with over half of asylum seekers in Croatia arriving legally but turning into irregular migrants within a day. Discussions at the Forum also covered the upcoming implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, set for June 2026, and the new EU Internal Security Strategy, ProtectEU. Europol Executive Director Catherine De Bolle commended Croatia's strong partnership in combating migrant smuggling and its role as one of the top contributors of operational information.