BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — The Slovak government has announced a significant deployment of police and armed forces along the border with Hungary to prevent illegal immigration. The move is aimed at curbing the growing number of migrants entering the country. The new Slovak Prime Minister, Robert Fico, has emphasized that illegal migration must be controlled to prevent people linked to terrorist groups from entering the country
Prime Minister Robert Fico avoided to provide immediate details on the deployment and stressed that illegal migration must be controlled. His concern extends beyond border security. He warns that those affiliated with “terrorist” groups can exploit any loopholes in the system.
The deployment is set to commence later today, and Prime Minister Fico intends to personally inspect the situation at the border. His government, freshly sworn in last week after his leftist Smer (Direction) party’s victory in the September 30 parliamentary election, is poised to take a tough stance against migration. While the new government’s policy program remains undisclosed, Fico has consistently signaled a firm approach.
Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Esto echoed these sentiments, citing global events as a backdrop. The recent conflict between Israel and the militant group Hamas has heightened concerns, and Esto anticipates a potential surge in migration. The government’s ambitious goal is to exert control over the entire 655-kilometer (407-mile) frontier with Hungary.
This move follows neighboring countries’ lead: Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland have already reintroduced border controls with Slovakia to manage migration. As Slovakia takes decisive action, it grapples with balancing security needs while upholding humanitarian principles.
