Off the wire
• French president expresses concerns over clashes at Jerusalem  • Big French business delegation to visit Iran  • Saudi diplomat accused of raping Nepalese women has left India  • Spanish stock market rises 1.99 pct, closes at 9,976 points  • Syrian forces secure hilltops near Damascus international highway  • 293 wildlife sites in Britain at risk from fracking for shale oil: RSPB  • Urgent: Gold rallies strongly on soft U.S. inflation  • Egypt vows thorough probe into death of 8 Mexican tourists  • Hungary to close 2 border crossings with Serbia for 30 days: Serbian Foreign Ministry  • Feature: Corbyn experiences memorable first day in parliament as new Labour leader  
You are here: 　 Home

Migrant crisis poses threat to Schengen area: Slovak FM

Xinhua, September 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

The migrant crisis is a threat for the Schengen area and it may disrupt relations within the European Union and alter the face of Europe as such, announced Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajcak in Parliament on Wednesday.

"It's not only Schengen and its future that's at stake, but also relations within the European Union, the future of European policies and perhaps even the future face of Europe," pointed out Lajcak.

He went on to reject notions that Slovakia isn't displaying solidarity, stressing that Slovakia has always helped its EU partners and will continue to do so.

"We're pushing for comprehensive, long-term and sustainable solutions," expressed Lajcak.

Slovakia calls for enhanced protection of the EU's external border, well-functioning centers for registering migrants and taking their fingerprints, a thorough return policy and an EU-wide list of safe countries of origin.

Plus, Lajcak added that Slovakia urges support for temporary safe zones in third countries, more decisive measures against people smugglers, enhanced collaboration between intelligence services, a more robust EU foreign and European policy and addressing problems in the migrants' countries of origin.

"The fates of concrete people as well as the shape of the European project are at stake. A European project in which we've always managed to resolve even the most serious crises - and not partially and in a one-off fashion, but in a prudent, comprehensive and above all sustainable manner," said Lajcak before again rejecting the imposition of mandatory quotas. Endit