MOSCOW, (Sputnik) — Serbia plans countermeasures if shuttered Croatian border crossings with Serbia are not reopened, Serbian Ambassador to Russia Slavenko Terzic said Wednesday.
"Serbian economy has suffered from Croatia's decision [to close border crossings]. We hope our government would not have to implement these measures at midnight tonight," Terzic said at a press conference in Moscow.
According to the Serbian ambassador, the country is ready to assist in easing the refugee crisis with European states and abide by international practices, including opening their borders.
Croatia is now facing the daily arrival of thousands of migrants from the Middle East and Africa, who use the country as a transit route to more prosperous European nations.
The reaction of right-wing political parties and immigration hardliners to the influx of refugees in EU member states defies the European concept of multiculturalism, the Serbian envoy to Russia said.
"The European Union has repeatedly underlined that we should live in the multicultural, multiethnic society. It is obvious that the problem of migrants invites a lot of questions and the influence of the right parties in Europe grows. The concept of tolerance is challenged significantly," Terzic said.
He stated that European countries should protect what he termed their "values."
