In light of recent security concerns, Slovenia has imposed temporary border controls with Croatia and Hungary. The measures, which were initiated this past Saturday, are scheduled to remain in effect for a minimum of ten days, according to Slovenia’s state media organization STA (STA).
The reinstated controls follow Italy’s decision to similarly reinforce its border with Slovenia. Both nations cite heightened safety threats as the rationale behind their measures, particularly concerning individuals or groups with links to extremist or terrorist activities who may be attempting to enter Europe from conflict-ridden regions.
Specifically, Slovenian officials express concern about ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, while also referencing the increasing levels of organized crime in Western Balkans. In Italy, officials in the northeastern border region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia have recorded at least 16,000 individuals who entered Italy illegitimately via the Slovenian border this year (AP News).
Slovenia, Italy, Croatia, and Hungary are all members of the Schengen area – a region permitting free travel across its member countries. Nevertheless, the Schengen agreement allows member states to impose temporary border controls should they face significant threats to their public policy or internal security (Schengen Visa Info).
The decision to implement such controls by Slovenia and Italy reflects mounting security concerns across Europe. These concerns are notably tied to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas (Jurist). Hence, EU interior ministers are closely assessing the war’s implications on the 27-member bloc, especially due to recent incidents such as the firebomb assault on a Berlin synagogue (Jurist) and killings in Belgium by suspected Islamic extremists (AP News).