Slovenia has initiated the deployment of police personnel on its border crossings with Croatia and Hungary in response to potential security risks, leading to substantial wait times for travellers undergoing document inspections. The Slovenian government’s recent decision to enforce temporary border controls until October 30 aligns with Italy’s similar measures along its own border with Slovenia, aimed at fortifying internal security.
According to reports from the Slovenian news agency STA, police presence has been established at 14 of the border crossings with Croatia and Hungary, while the remaining 18 crossings will not have a continuous police presence.
Notably, travelers experienced significant queues at the Obrezje crossing along the Croatian border, as this marked the resumption of checks that had been suspended since Croatia’s integration into the control-free Schengen Area on January 1 of this year. Katica Fjacko, a traveler from Zagreb, expressed her concerns over the chaos caused by the sudden implementation of these measures, emphasizing the widespread worry among fellow travelers.
The Slovenian government justified the introduction of border controls by highlighting potential security threats posed by individuals linked to various terrorist and extremist movements. Authorities expressed concerns about such individuals traversing from conflict zones and attempting to access Europe. Additionally, they underscored the escalation of organized criminal activities in the western Balkans as a further impetus for the heightened security measures.
