Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said on Thursday in Zagreb that the goal is for Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as other countries in the region that are not members of the European Union, to soon conclude an agreement with Frontex so that the European agency can help combat illegal migration on its territory.
The introduction of controls at the Schengen borders is not a novelty, it is a temporary measure resulting from the deterioration of the situation in the Middle East, Croatian Prime Minister Plenković said after Italy and Slovenia decided to restore border controls.
“One of the consequences of this situation in the Middle East, after the attack by Hamas”, said Plenković at the session of the Croatian Government, “is the decision of certain countries of the European Union to take additional measures such as those announced by Italy and Slovenia due to threats of terrorism and issues of national security.” .
On Thursday, the Slovenian government will decide on the introduction of border controls with Croatia and Hungary, about which its interior minister has already informed his Croatian and Hungarian colleagues.
Italy previously informed Slovenia that due to the changed situation in Europe and the Middle East, it is introducing border controls.
“The introduction of border controls is not a novelty, it comes about because of migration trends and assessments of increased security threats due to terrorism,” Plenković said at the session, reports Hina.
“However, the temporary introduction of border control should remain an exception that is introduced only as a last measure that should be subject to strict conditions, especially in terms of the area of application and duration,” he added.
Plenković said that nine countries currently have internal border controls. When making such decisions, it is crucial to justify the extent to which they will eliminate security threats, justify their proportionality, and consult with neighboring countries.
On Wednesday, Plenković discussed this topic with his Slovenian colleague Robert Golob, and Croatian Minister of the Interior Davor Božinović with his colleague Boštjan Poklukar. An upcoming meeting of the ministers of Croatia, Slovenia and Italy is also planned.
The Croatian Prime Minister emphasized that European leaders are concerned about the worsening of the situation in the Middle East.
After the Hamas attack on the border areas with Israel, in which more than 1.3 thousand people died, terrorist attacks also occurred in France, where a 20-year-old killed a teacher, and in Belgium, where a Tunisian citizen killed two Swedes who arrived in Brussels to the match of his national team.
Plenković said that Croatia and its services “carefully monitor the entire security situation in the country in such changed global security circumstances.”
