Slovakia Refuses to Take Migrants in Line With EU Quota System

PRAGUE (Sputnik) — In September, the European Union introduced a refugee quota system on the resettlement of 160,000 refugees from Greece and Italy across EU member states within two years. Slovakia is one of the four Visegrad Group (V4 group) states, along with Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic, opposing the implementation of the scheme.

"We show enough solidarity. We allocate people, finances, we will participate in the protection of the external borders of the European Union. However, nobody can force us to accept migrants in Slovakia," Fico said speaking on the Czech television.

Fico reminded that the Slovak government had expressed its official disagreement with the compulsory introduction of the EU refugee relocation system and filed the corresponding claim to the European Court of Justice late last year.

In recent months, Europe has faced an enormous influx of migrants fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa. EU border agency Frontex recorded over 1.83 million illegal border crossings into the European Union in 2015.

The Slovak prime minister pointed out that Austria's decision to close its borders may seriously affect neighboring countries.

"Austria after its at first refugee welcoming policy today is closing the borders and intends to keep doing it. Therefore, it is very likely that migrants will move to the north, using the route through Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic to reach Germany. In this case we have prepared the corresponding measures," Fico said.

In February, Austria placed daily limits on a number of people entering their territory and number of asylum applications.

In recent months, Europe has faced an enormous influx of migrants fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa. EU border agency Frontex recorded over 1.83 million illegal border crossings into the European Union in 2015.