'Terror concern' in Slovenia: Suspending Schengen with Croatia and Hungary

In a televised statement yesterday evening, Slovenian Interior Minister Boštjan Poklukar announced that the country will suspend the Schengen Agreement with its neighbors Croatia and Hungary, both EU and Schengen members, and begin implementing security checks at the borders with both countries.

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'Terror concern' in Slovenia: Suspending Schengen with Croatia and Hungary

It has been announced that Slovenia will suspend the Schengen Agreement and begin implementing security checks at its borders with Croatia and Hungary.

Following Italy's decision to reinstate border controls with its neighbor Slovenia—also a Schengen country—due to recent events in Europe and the Middle East, a similar step has now been taken by Slovenia.

EU ON ALERT FOR ITS BORDERS

Slovenian Interior Minister Boštjan Poklukar announced in a televised statement yesterday evening that the country will suspend the Schengen Agreement with its neighbors Croatia and Hungary, both EU and Schengen members, and begin implementing security checks at the borders with both countries.

Citing the threat of terrorism in Europe as the reason for the temporary measure, Poklukar said, "We see what is happening in France and Belgium. Slovenia is not an exception here."

Poklukar also stated that they plan to tighten precautionary controls along the Balkan refugee route. Expressing that Slovenia will approve the decision regarding measures within the Schengen Borders Code today and submit it to the European Commission, Poklukar did not provide a specific date for when police would begin the border checks.

ITALY HAD ANNOUNCED IT WOULD IMPLEMENT SURVEILLANCE AT THE SLOVENIAN BORDER

Meanwhile, following recent developments in the Middle East and subsequent terrorist attacks in Europe, Italy had announced that it would implement surveillance at the Slovenian border. Next week, the interior ministers of Slovenia, Italy, and Croatia will meet in Trieste to discuss the border issue.

CROATIA HAD BEEN WARNED PREVIOUSLY

Slovenia and Italy had repeatedly warned Croatia, which joined the Schengen area less than a year ago, that it needed to better protect its Schengen border, particularly the borders with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Montenegro, due to irregular migration.

STEPS HAVE BEGUN

The European Union (EU) announced today that it is preparing measures that will provide member states with flexibility regarding the suspension of visa-free agreements.

In a statement from the EU Commission, it was said, "The evolving geopolitical context has brought new challenges related to visa-free travel. Therefore, it is of great importance that the EU is equipped to address cases of abuse of visa-free travel."

News Source: İHA