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Berlin represents attack on European cultural identity: Slovak PM

Xinhua, December 20, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Berlin attack on a Christmas market represents an attack on the cultural identity of Europe, and Slovakia is entitled to adopt counter-measures, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said Tuesday.

"I consider the measures passed with respect to the migration crisis to be absolutely correct. I'm confident that they'll turn out to be inevitable within a short time. The ongoing attacks are also attacks against the EU," said Fico.

He added Slovakia would take immediate measure to protect the country from similar attacks.

Meanwhile, Slovak Interior Minister Robert Kalinak announced Tuesday that as of midnight police presence on the streets of Slovakia had been doubled.

Kalinak also assured the public that Slovakia has no information that it's exposed to an imminent security threat.

According to Kalinak, at least 1,000 patrols have been dispatched onto the streets since midnight, a big increase from the regular 300. Police have mainly been patrolling busy hubs such as shopping centers and Christmas markets.

On Monday, a lorry ploughed into a Christmas market in Berlin's borough of Charlottenburg, leaving 12 people dead. Enditem