Citing the threat of terrorism and the rise in illegal migration, Italy and Slovenia are today initiating border controls at internal Schengen borders. Italy controls the border with Slovenia and the neighboring country controls the borders with Croatia and Hungary, it was said.
Both countries initially announced the measure for ten days – until October 30 – in line with the relevant European Union list. According to politicians, Italy and Slovenia currently expect control measures to last up to two months.
Faced with the “intensification of crises on Europe’s borders, especially after the attack on Israel”, concerns about terrorist attacks have increased, said Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, justifying the decision.
The Slovenian government, for its part, gave the green light to controls at the internal Schengen borders with Croatia and Hungary. “We do not want radical people or people with terrorist intentions to come through the Western Balkan route,” said Interior Minister Bostjan Poklukar.