Czech Republic and Poland expand border controls with Slovakia “We will not tolerate anti-Semitism”: Scholz announces ban on Hamas activities

In the fight against smuggling, Poland and the Czech Republic are extending their temporary controls at the border with Slovakia until early November. «There are good results and clear effects. There will be no illegal migration routes through Poland,” Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski said on Thursday. In Prague, the liberal-conservative cabinet approved a corresponding arrangement on Wednesday evening. The measure was originally scheduled to end next Friday, but will now remain in force until November 2.

This is a consequence of the decisions taken in neighboring countries, it was said in Prague. Cross-border traffic must be hindered as little as possible. Slovakia continues to carry out random checks at the border with Hungary. All four states belong to the Schengen area, in which border controls are no longer allowed.

Since heightened controls in Slovakia began on October 4, Czech police say they have checked 43,749 people. 283 migrants who entered illegally were apprehended and twelve smugglers were arrested. The Ministry of the Interior estimated the expected total costs until the beginning of November at more than two million euros. According to Polish Interior Minister Kaminski, around 550 migrants arriving illegally have been detained at the Polish-Slovak border since the controls began.

The Czech Republic and Slovakia formed a common state, Czechoslovakia, until its division on January 1, 1993. The economic, cultural and family relations between the two neighbors are correspondingly close. (saw/sda/dpa)