(ANSA) - BELGRADE, JANUARY 17 - The number of irregular
border crossings detected on the EU's external borders last year
fell to the lowest level since 2013 due to a drop in the number
of people reaching European shores via the Central and Western
Mediterranean routes, Frontex said in a statement today.
Preliminary 2019 data collected by the European Border and
Coast Guard Agency, showed a 6% fall in border crossings along
the EU's external borders to just over 139 000, -92% below the
record number set in 2015. The number of irregular migrants
crossing the Central Mediterranean fell roughly 41% and in the
Western Mediterranean by 58%.
However, the Eastern Mediterranean saw growing migratory
pressure, Frontex noted, adding that in 2019 there were more
than 82,000 migrants detected on this route, roughly 46% more
than in the previous year. In total, around 14 000 irregular
crossings were detected at the EU's borders on the Western
Balkan route last year, more than double the 2018 figure, the
European Border and Coast Guard Agency said. (ANSA).
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