Slovakia introduces temporary border checks

Slovakia has introduced temporary checks at the Hungarian and Austrian borders, confirmed the Slovak Interior Ministry on Monday in response to Germany's adoption of the same measure the day before.

"Following the announcement by Germany that it is temporarily introducing checks at the border with Austria, Slovakia has proceeded to introduce temporary border checks on Slovak-Hungarian and Slovak-Austrian border crossings," said Michaela Paulenova from the Slovak interior ministry office's press department.

In regard to the extraordinary situation, Slovak police added an extra 220 officers at the borders. Border crossings have been reinforced as well as select locations at other points along the periphery.

"This is a temporary measure," stressed Paulenova, adding that the ministry couldn't estimate when it would end.

"The stricter mode doesn't mean the end of Schengen," explained Paulenova, in response to the free movement of people in the Schengen zone.

"We're constantly monitoring and coordinating activities with police forces in Austria, Hungary and the Czech Republic," added Paulenova.

Source: XINHUA