Croatia has blocked its border with Serbia for the sake of national security, which is more important than any profit, Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic said on Friday.
"This is not a trade war. Croatia has not introduced discriminatory measures but has only closed the border to cargo traffic for everybody," Milanovic said during a visit to Omisalj on the northern Adriatic island of Krk.
"Our measure may have been tough but its purpose has been to safeguard national interests and ensure control of the influx of migrants," the Croatian premier said.
But a country which is not a member of the European Union and which is not functioning as a state but currently serves as a territory for the uncontrolled passage of refugees was the first to launch discriminatory measures against Croatian trucks and commodities. This prompted us to respond, the Croatian PM said, alluding to Serbia.
He went on to say that Croatia could not let in 10,000 people daily if it wants to keep order and guarantee problem-free passage of migrants through Croatia.
"This is a matter of national security and of a functioning state," Milanovic said, without specifying when the border might be reopened. "My assistants and I are discussing when to reopen the border," he said.
Milanovic also sharply replied to Vucic's allegations about discriminatory measures and Croatia taking only Serbian nationals off buses. "This is a lie," Milanovic said, adding that such statements came from the man who was engaged in such dealings during the war in 1993 and 1994.
The Croatian premier said that the situation with a large influx of migrants might go on and that Croatia might be forced to direct them towards Slovenia.
"The behaviour of Hungary is unpredictable. They are also erecting a fence along the border with Slovenia, which means inside the Schengen area," Milanovic said. He said that he was in touch with Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar, as well as with German Chancellor Angela Merkle and Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann, adding that he enjoyed their support regarding his refugee policy.
"This is not a trade war. Croatia has not introduced discriminatory measures but has only closed the border to cargo traffic for everybody," Milanovic said during a visit to Omisalj on the northern Adriatic island of Krk.
"Our measure may have been tough but its purpose has been to safeguard national interests and ensure control of the influx of migrants," the Croatian premier said.
But a country which is not a member of the European Union and which is not functioning as a state but currently serves as a territory for the uncontrolled passage of refugees was the first to launch discriminatory measures against Croatian trucks and commodities. This prompted us to respond, the Croatian PM said, alluding to Serbia.
Foto: Hina
He went on to say that Croatia could not let in 10,000 people daily if it wants to keep order and guarantee problem-free passage of migrants through Croatia.
"This is a matter of national security and of a functioning state," Milanovic said, without specifying when the border might be reopened. "My assistants and I are discussing when to reopen the border," he said.
Milanovic also sharply replied to Vucic's allegations about discriminatory measures and Croatia taking only Serbian nationals off buses. "This is a lie," Milanovic said, adding that such statements came from the man who was engaged in such dealings during the war in 1993 and 1994.
The Croatian premier said that the situation with a large influx of migrants might go on and that Croatia might be forced to direct them towards Slovenia.
"The behaviour of Hungary is unpredictable. They are also erecting a fence along the border with Slovenia, which means inside the Schengen area," Milanovic said. He said that he was in touch with Slovenian Prime Minister Miro Cerar, as well as with German Chancellor Angela Merkle and Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann, adding that he enjoyed their support regarding his refugee policy.
News |
Zoran Milanović
