Slovak sentiment towards migration unchanged

Slovak sentiment towards migration unchanged

The number of migrants arriving to Europe is increasing according to the EU border agency Frontex, with the most recent figures estimating that a record number of 107,500 migrants crossed over the European Union's borders in July, an increase of 70,000 on the previous month.

The sheer numbers of individuals arriving, coupled with the lack of a joint plan to solve the problem, has led to some border towns and transit stations unable to cope. Presently, police in the central train station in the Hungarian capital of Budapest have barred migrants from entering the station and travelling further into the European Union, causing protests. Meanwhile, Greece is facing its own issues. According to Frontex, 23,000 migrants arrived to Greece last week alone, overwhelming officials.

After an extraordinary session with the Slovak Security Council, Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that the steps Europe is currently taking regarding solving the issue are instead instigating organised crime, as people smugglers are proceeding with their activities even more than before. Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák stated that, "The political statements of some countries have a specific connection with the size of the migration wave which immediately moves. Some decisions including quotas then force migrants more towards Europe", he said.

While many residents have come out to welcome migrants into their towns and villages across the continent, the divisive situation has fuelled support for far right-wing parties. France's National Front, Germany's Alternative For Germany and Austria's Freedom Party, have continued to swell in popularity throughout the summer.

Prime ministers of the four Visegrad Group (V4) countries have agreed to meet at a summit on migration in Prague on either Friday or Sunday this week. Prime Minister Robert Fico informed that he had already spoken with his Czech colleague Bohuslav Sobotka. According to Fico, the common position of rejecting quotas for migrants remains unchanged.


Gavin Shoebridge, Photo: AP/TASR

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