"Nobody can predict who will cross border," says PM

"Nobody can predict who will cross border," says PM

"We control people. We cannot know whether the passport they show us is a forgery. They don't even have to show it to us," said Vucic, adding that "refugees are being registered so that their fingerprints and hand prints can be taken."

In addition, stressed the prime minister - who was in Presevo, southern Serbia today together with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres - "citizens do not have to worry about terrorist attacks because the state will do everything so they feel safe and secure."

He also announced a joint counter-terrorism exercise of Serbian soldiers and police officers for Saturday.

"Extraordinary measures have been taken, that we will continue to take," said Vucic.

"Citizens of Serbia can always feel safe. All that can be done in this direction, we will do. Is the state protected because it receives refugees? Yes, it is protected," Vucic said.

He also "stressed that he toured refugee camps many times and never saw any problem."

Vucic described Serbia as "an open country on the path towards the European Union."

Asked how many refugees the country will be able to provide for "if such a request occurs," Vucic replied, "As many as we can."

"That's going to be done by state organs anyway, while 99 percent of the population won't either see or feel it," said he.

The prime minister added that Serbia "received substantial assistance from UNHCR" while "extra money from the European Union should arrive" - but that it is essential "that we show we're humane and sufficiently responsible and capable."

According to him, "seven million euros and 2.3 million more from the EU should arrive," and described these funds as "now becoming more substantial." Vucic added that Serbia should next year receive 3.7 million from UNHCR - "in equipment, and in various ways."

He reiterated that Serbia will not raise fences and barbed wire on its borders, and will carry out "counter-diversion checks everywhere and in every location."

"Serbia will receive (them) and show solidarity and humanity towards all these people, it will speak well of our country, but also to those people about our people. This will be returned to us one day through their love and respect," he said.

Vucic thanked Guterres for visiting Serbia and added that our country will continue to take care of refugees "because in 99.99 percent of cases these are good people, expelled from their homes and forced to leave their country due to terrorism and various other reasons."