ReliefWeb

In his statement today, the State Secretary at the Ministrz of the Interior, Boštjan Šefic, said that it was difficult to assess developments only a day after the agreement in Brussels. The new situation regarding migration will be carefully assessed by the operational group in the next few days, and a further course of action will be taken on its basis. This will be adapted to the fact that there is currently no spontaneous migration. According to Šefic, illegal migration cannot be completely excluded, so control of the border remains tightened.

Šefic also said that after ending the so-called Balkan route, the number of asylum seekers is expected to grow. Therefore, the second phase of the contingency plan has been implemented. If the number of asylum seekers exceeds 500, the third phase of the plan will apply. According to the State Secretary, while such expectations are realistic, the number of people wishing to remain in Slovenia is difficult to predict.

More information about the relocation of migrations will be available in the next few days. This will also be discussed at a government session on Thursday.

The first transfers could take place in April, said Šefic. "If the first group includes 40, 50 people, we can gradually take 10, 15 people, depending on the situation. I believe that the first group will be relocated as soon as possible," he said.

The State Secretary also clarified the enforcement of the Schengen regime. He said that Slovenia has begun to apply the Schengen Code again, as it had for many years before the migration crisis, which means that anyone with the necessary documents who meets all the conditions may enter Slovenia.

In addition, individuals may still enter Slovenia for humanitarian reasons and anyone reaching Slovenia may request international protection. They are processed on an individual basis, said Šefic. "If these people are granted international protection, they may remain in Slovenia; otherwise the procedures are known", he said.