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Migrant crisis: Hungary closes border with Croatia | Migrant crisis: Hungary closes border with Croatia |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Hungary has closed its border with Croatia in an effort to stem the flow of migrants through the country en route to western Europe. | Hungary has closed its border with Croatia in an effort to stem the flow of migrants through the country en route to western Europe. |
Croatia said it would begin directing migrants to Slovenia instead. | Croatia said it would begin directing migrants to Slovenia instead. |
Hungary has been a major transit country for migrants, many of whom aim to continue on to Austria and Germany. | Hungary has been a major transit country for migrants, many of whom aim to continue on to Austria and Germany. |
It announced the closure on Friday after EU leaders failed to agree a plan backed by Hungary to send a force to prevent migrants reaching Greece. | It announced the closure on Friday after EU leaders failed to agree a plan backed by Hungary to send a force to prevent migrants reaching Greece. |
The border, reinforced with a razor-wire fence, closed at midnight (22:00 GMT) on Friday. | The border, reinforced with a razor-wire fence, closed at midnight (22:00 GMT) on Friday. |
A group of several hundred migrants who arrived near the village of Zakany minutes before the deadline were the last to be allowed through. | A group of several hundred migrants who arrived near the village of Zakany minutes before the deadline were the last to be allowed through. |
"Closure!" a soldier shouted after the last travellers had passed across. | "Closure!" a soldier shouted after the last travellers had passed across. |
"We know that this is not the best, but only the second-best solution," Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said, announcing the closure earlier. Migrants could still apply for asylum in Hungary at two border transit zones, he added. | "We know that this is not the best, but only the second-best solution," Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said, announcing the closure earlier. Migrants could still apply for asylum in Hungary at two border transit zones, he added. |
The border posts at Beremend and Letenje are also open for anyone with valid documents. | The border posts at Beremend and Letenje are also open for anyone with valid documents. |
Hungary has already sealed its border with Serbia. | Hungary has already sealed its border with Serbia. |
There are fears in Slovenia that closure of the Croatia-Hungary border will channel many more migrants through Slovenia. | There are fears in Slovenia that closure of the Croatia-Hungary border will channel many more migrants through Slovenia. |
Early on Saturday, migrants began arriving in Slovenia by bus from Croatia, news agencies reported. | |
Ranko Ostojic, Croatia's Interior Minister, said Croatia was "turning the route, the corridor, towards Slovenia". | |
Croatia has not struck any agreement with Slovenia, according to Mr Ostojic. "This is (purely) a Croatian plan," he said. | Croatia has not struck any agreement with Slovenia, according to Mr Ostojic. "This is (purely) a Croatian plan," he said. |
In response, Slovenia stopped all passenger rail transport from Croatia, the country's national railway company announced. | In response, Slovenia stopped all passenger rail transport from Croatia, the country's national railway company announced. |
Slovenia's Interior Minister, Vesna Gjorkos Znidar, said extra police had been deployed to the border with Croatia. | Slovenia's Interior Minister, Vesna Gjorkos Znidar, said extra police had been deployed to the border with Croatia. |
But she said the country will keep accepting refugees as long as neighbouring Austria and Germany keep their borders open. | But she said the country will keep accepting refugees as long as neighbouring Austria and Germany keep their borders open. |
Earlier on Friday, Turkish officials stressed that a plan agreed by EU officials for joint action with Turkey on the migrant crisis had not been finalised. | Earlier on Friday, Turkish officials stressed that a plan agreed by EU officials for joint action with Turkey on the migrant crisis had not been finalised. |
EU leaders have agreed to speed up visa liberalisation talks for Turks if Turkey stems the influx, as well as to "re-energise" talks on Turkey joining the EU and supply more aid. | EU leaders have agreed to speed up visa liberalisation talks for Turks if Turkey stems the influx, as well as to "re-energise" talks on Turkey joining the EU and supply more aid. |
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said EU states were considering a Turkish request for €3bn (£2.2bn, $3.4bn) in aid. | German Chancellor Angela Merkel said EU states were considering a Turkish request for €3bn (£2.2bn, $3.4bn) in aid. |
But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has heavily criticised Europe's reaction to the migrant crisis. | But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has heavily criticised Europe's reaction to the migrant crisis. |
"They announce they'll take in 30,000 to 40,000 refugees and then they are nominated for the Nobel for that. We are hosting two-and-a-half million refugees but nobody cares," he said. | "They announce they'll take in 30,000 to 40,000 refugees and then they are nominated for the Nobel for that. We are hosting two-and-a-half million refugees but nobody cares," he said. |
Nearly 600,000 migrants have reached the EU by sea so far this year, many of them travelling from Turkey. | Nearly 600,000 migrants have reached the EU by sea so far this year, many of them travelling from Turkey. |
Read more | Read more |
Can deeds match words?: The challenges ahead for the EU and Turkey | Can deeds match words?: The challenges ahead for the EU and Turkey |
The pull of Europe: Five migrant stories | The pull of Europe: Five migrant stories |
Merkel under pressure: Chancellor's migrant policy faces criticism at home | Merkel under pressure: Chancellor's migrant policy faces criticism at home |
Focus on Turkey: Why the EU views Syria's northern neighbour as key | Focus on Turkey: Why the EU views Syria's northern neighbour as key |
Crisis in graphics: Migration numbers explained | Crisis in graphics: Migration numbers explained |
Ms Merkel is due to travel to Turkey at the weekend. "There is still a huge amount to do," she said, "but you cannot say that we've achieved nothing." | Ms Merkel is due to travel to Turkey at the weekend. "There is still a huge amount to do," she said, "but you cannot say that we've achieved nothing." |
EU sources had said several countries were cautious about coming to an agreement with Turkey too quickly, including Greece, Cyprus and France. | EU sources had said several countries were cautious about coming to an agreement with Turkey too quickly, including Greece, Cyprus and France. |
Have you been affected by the migration crisis? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences. | Have you been affected by the migration crisis? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |