LJUBLJANA, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Slovenia will implement border controls with Croatia and Hungary for security reasons starting from Saturday, the Slovenian government announced on Thursday.
The border controls will be in place till Oct. 30, but could be prolonged, the government said in a statement after its regular session. The decision came a day after neighboring Italy decided to introduce border controls with Slovenia.
"There is a need for immediate action to ensure public order and security of our citizens as well as the citizens of the European Union," the Slovenian government said.
"Outside events confirm that members of various terrorist and extremist movements and groups are withdrawing from the areas of armed conflicts to avoid possible consequences for their deeds, or even with an intent to endanger our security and stability," it added.
It said Slovenia had registered 48,076 illegal border crossings from the start of the year until Oct. 15, compared to 18,433 illegal crossings in the first nine months of 2022.
Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary all the European Union's Schengen countries, which typically operate without border controls within the Schengen area. ■