LJUBLJANA, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Slovenia has extended temporary controls on its internal Schengen borders with Croatia and Hungary for another six months, the government announced on Wednesday.
The measures, first introduced in October 2023, will remain in force until June 21, 2026. The government said the extension would not negatively affect passenger traffic, economic cooperation or the environment.
According to the Interior Ministry, police will continue to carry out targeted checks at the borders with Croatia and Hungary, focusing on the prevention of terrorism, extremism and cross-border crime.
The ministry said the controls would be implemented in line with the principle of proportionality and in a manner that minimizes any impact on people living in border areas.
Slovenia decided to extend the border checks citing multiple security concerns, including threats linked to the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy, terrorist risks, organized crime, the potential infiltration of terrorists through migration routes in the Western Balkans, hybrid threats associated with Russia and Belarus, and instability in the European Union's neighbourhood.
Slovenia first introduced checks at its borders with Croatia and Hungary on Oct. 21, 2023, after Italy imposed border controls with Slovenia. Both countries cited a deteriorating security situation in the Middle East and heightened terrorism threats as the reasons for the measures, which have since been repeatedly extended.
