The Slovenian authorities have announced that the temporarily introduced border controls with Croatia and Hungary will remain in force until November 19, 2023.
According to the Ministry of Interior of Slovenia, the decision to prolong the border controls that were initially introduced on October 21, 2023, was taken to ensure a high level of security for all residents following increased terrorist threats, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
The modalities and intensity of temporary controls at the internal borders will be applied according to the principle of proportionality and will continue to focus on the prevention of terrorism, extremism and cross-border crime.
The same stressed that for as long as the measures are effective, they will be accordingly adjusted so that there is little to no disruption of traffic at the border.
Moreover, the authorities highlighted that they are making sure that the measures have a minimum disruptive effect on the environment, economy, and residents living in the border area.
When Slovenia introduced temporary border controls on October 21, the authorities stated that they had observed an increased level of organised crime in the Western Balkans.
Moreover, the Slovenian law enforcement authorities noted that they had been closely following potential threats and the security situation within the country and the region while also paying attention to factors that might contribute to the rise in radicalisation and violent extremism.
Travellers who will be entering Slovenia through one of the border crossing points with Croatia and Hungary will be required to present a valid travel document.
Thus, the Slovenian authorities have called on everyone to check the validity of their travel document beforehand so they do not get refused entry at the border.
Travellers should observe the conditions for crossing the border at specific border crossing points, and follow a changed traffic regime and instructions of police officers.
Slovenia is not the only European Union country that has introduced internal border controls with its neighbours. Italy has also implemented internal border controls with Slovenia, citing attack risk.
The Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said last week that the “police measures at the Italian-Slovenian border are not adequate to guarantee the required security”, and for this reason, the country decided to reinstate border controls for an initial period of ten days.
However, taking into account the current situation, the Italian authorities just recently said that the country is planning to extend border controls with Slovenia into 2024.
The Ministry of Interior of Italy, Matteo Piantedosi, said that ten days of controls are not enough and stressed that it is necessary to tighten the measures due to the increased risk.