Slovenia extends border controls with Croatia until summer 2024

(Patria) - Slovenia has decided to extend border controls with Croatia until the summer of 2024 to reduce the number of illegal crossings, and residents of border areas point out that this measure has served its purpose as there are now fewer migrants.

Although many did not expect such a move, mainly because according to EU laws, Schengen member states can introduce controls for a maximum of one month under special circumstances, Slovenia has decided on a third extension for a period of six months starting December 22.

Slovenia introduced border controls on the border with Croatia on October 21 due to, as then-Minister of the Interior Boštjan Poklukar explained, fears of terrorism.

As a reason for extending the border controls, the Slovenian police highlighted the success of the operation, stating that since the introduction of this measure, they have deterred a larger number of third-country nationals from crossing the border and arrested several smugglers.

Poklukar recently informed the Government about the reasons for extending the control measure due to the terrorist threat, which is currently medium in Slovenia, and the measure will be lifted when the security situation allows.

"Terrorism is a very hidden threat. We don't know when it might erupt, so we must be cautious," added Poklukar.

The Slovenian police point out that since the introduction of controls, 3,709 unauthorized border crossings have been identified, most of them on the border with Croatia, according to the Croatian portal "Index".

In the area of the Novo Mesto Police Administration alone, which includes crossings in the vicinity of Zagreb, including, on the Croatian side, the busiest Bregana, the police found and arrested 3,307 foreigners who illegally entered Slovenia.

"Since the re-establishment of border surveillance in the area of the Novo Mesto Police Administration, 28 smugglers have been found and arrested who were transporting 209 foreigners who do not meet the conditions for entering Slovenia. The smugglers were deprived of their liberty, and their vehicles were confiscated," the police stated.