(Reuters) – The government of Slovakia has approved the extension of temporary border controls with Hungary until December 23 in an effort to prevent a potential increase in illegal migration. These measures were first put in place on October 5, following similar actions taken by neighboring countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic, and Austria in tightening their own borders with Slovakia.
According to a statement accompanying the approved measure, Slovakia has seen a staggering 500% year-on-year increase in the number of illegal migrants detained between the start of 2023 and November 12. However, detentions have decreased to 29 in the week to November 12, down from 1,690 in the first week after the controls were put in place.
“It can be concluded the controls on internal borders, along with similar measures in neighbouring states, have a preventive character,” the Interior Ministry stated. This indicates the government’s belief that the border controls are having a positive impact on the situation.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was re-elected last month, made promises during his campaign to protect the country’s borders from illegal migration. The migrants, mainly young men from the Middle East and Afghanistan, have primarily come through the so-called Balkan corridor, passing through Hungary from Serbia on their way to wealthier European countries like Germany and others in the west.
Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Austria, and Germany are all part of the European Union’s Schengen open-border zone and have all recently implemented border measures. Slovakia’s decision to extend its border controls with Hungary reflects a wider trend within the EU.
Reported by Jason Hovet in Prague; Edited by Emelia Sithole-Matarise
