Slovakia: EU Must Protect Schengen Borders

JAKARTA - The Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) of Slovakia, Matus Sutaj Estok, said the European Union must prioritize the protection of the Schengen area's external borders following the migration situation in Spain.

If this is not done, according to Estok, European countries risk re-applying border controls so that their citizens lose the freedom to move in the European region.

"I have promised that I will expose our position and concrete proposals to deal with illegal migration at the European level, and today, I have done so. I say the same to my colleagues, as I say in Slovakia," Sutaj Estok said in a videotaped speech on Tuesday, August 4, reported by ANTARA from Sputnik.

Estok said the options the EU has are very simple.

"We must protect the borders outside Europe or we will have to reintroduce checks at the borders, convoys, and waiting times between Schengen member states," he said.

According to him, Slovakia is ready to send police personnel and security equipment to Spain to help the country strengthen border security.

Meanwhile, Irish Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan said the European Union must unite in support of Spain in combating illegal migration. O'Callaghan also praised the Spanish government's quick steps in dealing with the migration crisis.

Last week, the city of Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa bordering Morocco, faced a surge in illegal migrant arrivals.

Around 60,000 people entered the area in just one day, while the population of the city of Ceuta itself is around 85,000.

Officials in a number of EU member states, including Denmark, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Finland, have called for a temporary suspension of Spain's membership of the Schengen area.