Slovenia will provide temporary facilities for handling migrants at the Obrežje border crossing with Croatia, the authorities announced on Thursday, January 18.
The government made this decision in response to ongoing migration challenges.
Slovenian authorities plan to set up a fence, two accommodation containers, tents, and sanitary facilities at the former border crossing in Obrezje, as reported by the state-owned STA news agency. These facilities can be used for up to three years.
Last year, Slovenia removed the border checkpoint with Croatia since the latter joined the border-free Schengen area.
However, in September last year, the Slovenian authorities decided to implement police checkpoints along its border with Croatia to prevent irregular entries into its territory.
To address and prevent irregular migration along the Western Balkan route, the interior ministers of Slovenia, Croatia and Italy participated in a trilateral meeting held in Buzet, Croatia on Tuesday.
The Slovenian Minister of Interior, Boštjan Poklukar, said they discussed increasing cooperation among the three countries, focusing on interior ministries and police forces.
When we met in Trieste, we set out on a path to work together to prevent illegal migration along the Western Balkan route. On the other hand, we are working to avoid radicalisation and terrorism in the region and, consequently, in the countries of the European Union (EU).
In October last year, authorities of these countries decided to implement stricter border controls amid security concerns and the situation in the Middle East.
As further stated in a press release, the Slovenian police registered over 60,000 individuals who entered the country illegally.
Regarding this, Slovenia will host a trilateral meeting of interior ministers in Brdo pri Kranju on March 21-22. Minister Pokuklar confirmed that they will also invite the interior minister of the Western Balkan countries.
Slovenia’s Ongoing Border Controls with Croatia and Hungary Since October 2023
In addition to Croatia, Slovenia has taken measures similar to those of other countries. Last month, Slovenian authorities extended border controls with Croatia and Hungary until June 2024, while the previous measure ended on December 21, 2023.
Slovenia first implemented internal border controls with Croatia and Hungary on October 21. Since then, these border measures have been consistently prolonged.
Commenting on the continuous extension, the Slovenian Ministry of Interior stated that the country aims to prevent terrorism, extremism, people smuggling, and irregular migration.
On the other hand, in November last year, Austria decided to extend border checks with Hungary and Slovenia until May 2024. As Austrian authorities stated, such a measure was taken to combat terrorism and the trafficking of humans across borders.
