Migrations are a huge challenge for Slovenia, said Erjavec in a statement before the international conference on the Mediterranean-Balkan migrant route in Luxembourg, adding that Slovenia had responded well to the first wave but can also expect to experience a second, stronger wave.

A lot depends on Hungary
How many refugees can be expected in Slovenia and when, is very hard to predict, explained Erjavec, since this depends heavily on Hungary’s actions – Slovenia’s problems may arise if the Hungarian PM Viktor Orban decides to act on his announcement about closing the border with Croatia. According to Erjavec, the reactions of Germany, Austria and other countries where migrants want to request for asylum, are thus very important. “These refugees don’t want to stay in Slovenia, they have a specific goal,” added the Slovenian foreign minister.

Erjavec expects EU measures soon
The minister anticipates that the matters will now start unfolding more quickly, also owing to the recent EU summit agreement on improving the cooperation with Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon, where about four million refugees are located, as well as on one-billion-euro aid to the United National High Commissioner for Refugees.

Erjavec expects the Luxembourg conference to relay a key message that migrations are Europe’s problem, and that a comprehensive strategy for tackling the issue is needed.

T. H.; translated by K. Z.