Stricter border checks regulation is impracticable for Croatia:PM

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Thursday the newly-introduced tougher European border control regulation, which has caused long traffic delay on the borders, was "impracticable" for his country.

He said the country would take all available means to resolve the problem.

"For Croatia, a country that is getting ready for Schengen and wants to contribute to the fight against terrorism, the current form of application of the regulation at the border with EU member states is simply impracticable," he said.

As a tourist country which tourism accounts for 18 percent of its GDP, Croatia viewed the situation as unacceptable, he added.

Earlier, Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic has sent letter to European leaders, urging them to enable immediately an undisturbed flow of people and commodities at borders of Croatia and other EU member states.

European regulations on stricter border checks had already resulted in several problems during the Easter holiday, she said, adding she was worried that it could negatively affect the arrival of tourists to Croatia in the summer.

Traffic chaos have staged on the borders, mainly between Croatia, a non-member of the Schengen area, and a member Slovenia since April 7, when EU introduced a new regulation on stricter Schengen border controls.

According to local media, people and vehicles have to face hours-long delays at border crossing. Endit