Slovenian erecting wire fence on sections of Croatia border

Slovenian troops started putting up a razor wire fence along two sections of Slovenia's border with Croatia Wednesday morning after receiving the go-ahead from Prime Minister Miro Cerar on Tuesday erect the fence "to manage the flow of refugees along the Balkan route".

Currently, the fence is being constructed in the vicinity of the tiny Gibina border crossing in the east and near the village of Rigonce, both bordering with Croatia, which used to be the main entry point for refugees entering the border on foot.

Cerar explained that action to put up barriers on selected sections of the border was to "prevent a humanitarian disaster" in an anticipated new surge in arrivals and the aim was "not to seal off the border," which will remain open, but to "control the refugee flow and prevent a dispersion of refugees across the border."

The area near Rigonce has been sealed off by police, according to the local news report by Slovenian Press Agency (STA).

From the Croatian side, Slovenian troops were seen unloading and uncoiling razor wire and building a 2-meter high fence along the Sotla river, which roughly marks the border.

Previously, refugees tried to cross the border by way of the narrow, but deep, river, getting completely wet in the cold nights, said STA. This was before Slovenia and Croatia agreed on rail transport to bring the migrants across the border.

The mayor of Gibina, Stanko Ivanusic, told STA that the locals were understanding about the fence, as they believe it would make it easier to control the refugee flow.

The government will hold a press conference Wednesday afternoon to provide more information about the work taking place on the border with Croatia. Meanwhile, the police confirmed that all border crossings with Croatia were open. Endit