A US donation, which is valued at $479,000, was handed over Wednesday to Macedonia's Border Police and Customs Administration.

The donation includes night vision devices, thermal imaging equipment, inspection instruments, surveillance cameras, GPS devices, radiation detectors, and two patrol vehicles.

Speaking at an equipment donation ceremony, US Ambassador Paul Wohlers said the donation had been provided through the United States Embassy’s Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program and aimed at enhancing the ability of the Macedonian Border Police and Customs Administration to conduct professional border control and border crossings point operations.

"As we all know, secure borders contribute a lot to internal and regional security. The equipment will also increase the capabilities of the two border agencies in conducting border surveillance and patrolling, mobile and interdiction operations, combating cross-border crime and terrorism, radiation detection, identifying weapons of mass destruction, and running primary and secondary inspections at the border crossings points," said Ambassador Wohlers.

Thanking for the donation, Interior Minister Gordana Jankuloska stated it will pave the way toward further modernization and effective functioning of police forces especially in border security and curbing of cross-border crime.

"To provide secure borders is one of our priorities given the fact that many conflicts have resulted in considerable immigration surges," Jankuloska noted.

So far this year, over 900 illegal immigrants have been found on the territory of Macedonia. The flow of immigrants entering the country from the southern border alone has tripled compared to the same period last year. The number of people fleeing Syria, Afghanistan and Pakistan has increased notably, according to the Minister.

"Border security trainings and donations of a highly-sophisticated equipment are extremely important. In previous years, MoI's Border Police has been turned into a modern, well-equipped organizational unit which is as prepared as similar units functioning in the countries in the region and beyond," Jankuloska said.

With the donated equipment, the Customs Administration continues its bid to modernize itself and to enhance the capacities, stressed the Director of the Customs Administration, Vanco Kargov.