Lajčak says: Schengen system has collapsed due to refugees

Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčak said today that the foundations of one of the EU's key pillars – freedom of movement – have been shaken due to refugees, reports the Patria news agency.

-De facto Schengen has collapsed. Migrants pass absolutely freely through the territories of countries responsible for protecting the Schengen system. Under normal circumstances, it is difficult to obtain a Schengen visa, but now tens of thousands of people are coming here without any checks. So, do we have Schengen or not? – Lajčak asked.

TASR reports that the Slovak government wants migration to be discussed openly, honestly, and comprehensively in the EU, and that the debate is currently focused only on one aspect – quotas for the distribution of refugees.

The Slovak government proposes not only permanent protection of Schengen borders but also addressing the root causes of migration and the issue of smuggling.

– I refuse to have Slovakia viewed as a country without solidarity – Lajčak stressed, advocating for a unified policy on this issue in the EU, which is currently not the case.

He also emphasized that quotas for the distribution of refugees are not a path to solving the problem.

Lajčak presented a plan for resolving the refugee crisis adopted by the Slovak government. This plan will be coordinated on Friday in Prague, at an extraordinary emergency summit of the prime ministers of the Visegrad Four countries on the refugee issue.