Serbia to react after Slovenia "closes migrant route"

Serbia to react after Slovenia "closes migrant route"

Croatia has informed the Serbian interior ministry that Slovenia, a member of the EU, will start enforcing the new regime for entering the Schengen zone and will not receive migrants without valid visas and passports as of midnight, said a MUP statement.

This practically means the closing of the Balkan route, the ministry said.

With the new regime in place, Serbia cannot allow to become a collection center for refugees so it will coordinate all measures with the EU and reciprocally put them in place on its southern and eastern borders, toward Macedonia and Bulgaria, the ministry said.

Vulin visits Presevo

Serbia welcomes the Brussels talks with all affected countries on the migrant route and the quest for a solution to the migrant crisis, Minister of Labor, Employment and Veteran and Social Affairs Aleksandar Vulin said in Presevo Tuesday.

Vulin was visiting a temporary reception center for migrants with UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly Clements and UNHCR Representative in Serbia Hans Friedrich Schodder.

Vulin said that specific measures are expected to be introduced by the March 17-18 EU summit - which will follow in the wake of the EU-Turkey summit - to regulate the position of migrants and all countries on the migrant route.

"We will respect any joint decision by European partners and also respect the right of these people to seek protection in Serbian territory as well," said Vulin, who also heads a working group on migration.