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Slovenia to build fence if EU fails to help over migrants Slovenia to build fence if EU fails to help over migrants
(about 4 hours later)
Slovenia has threatened to erect a fence along its border with Croatia if an EU plan agreed on Sunday is not implemented.Slovenia has threatened to erect a fence along its border with Croatia if an EU plan agreed on Sunday is not implemented.
Some 85,000 refugees have poured into the tiny nation in the last 10 days, after Hungary closed its Croatia border.Some 85,000 refugees have poured into the tiny nation in the last 10 days, after Hungary closed its Croatia border.
To Hungary's north, Austria has also been beefing up barriers at its border crossings to control large crowds. To Hungary's north, Austria is also set to beef up barriers at its border crossings to control large crowds.
The approach of winter has so far done little to slow the flow.The approach of winter has so far done little to slow the flow.
The UN estimates more than 700,000 migrants have crossed to Europe by boat so far this year - mainly from war-ravaged Syria.The UN estimates more than 700,000 migrants have crossed to Europe by boat so far this year - mainly from war-ravaged Syria.
Most have been making their way to northern Europe. Some transit countries have been seeking to limit the influx, leading to bottlenecks and tensions with neighbours. Some transit countries have been seeking to limit the influx, leading to bottlenecks and tensions with neighbours.
On Tuesday, European Council President Donald Tusk warned that crisis could create "tectonic changes in the European political landscape" - and "not changes for the better". Most migrants have been making their way to northern Europe - primarily to Germany, expected to receive up to a million asylum seekers this year.
Guard pledge Strained relations
Tensions have been growing there too, with Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere complaining on Wednesday that Germany had given Afghanistan development aid and troops, and that Afghans would be better off staying and trying to rebuild the country.
"People who come to us as refugees from Afghanistan cannot all expect to be able to stay in Germany," he said.
Normally friendly relations between Germany and Austria have been strained in recent days, with Germany accusing Austria of dumping migrants on its border.
On Sunday, 11 EU states and three non-EU countries agreed to set up reception centres with another 50,000 spaces in Balkan countries, and send 400 guards to assist Slovenia within a week.On Sunday, 11 EU states and three non-EU countries agreed to set up reception centres with another 50,000 spaces in Balkan countries, and send 400 guards to assist Slovenia within a week.
But EU members have previously been slow to deliver on pledges of such assistance. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker complained on Wednesday that fewer than half of the 775 border guards pledged to the Frontex border agency over the past month had been provided.But EU members have previously been slow to deliver on pledges of such assistance. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker complained on Wednesday that fewer than half of the 775 border guards pledged to the Frontex border agency over the past month had been provided.
He also said that promises of financial support had not been kept.He also said that promises of financial support had not been kept.
In search of a better life - at 105In search of a better life - at 105
At 105 years old, Bibihal Uzbeki must be one of the oldest migrants to looking for a brighter future in Europe.At 105 years old, Bibihal Uzbeki must be one of the oldest migrants to looking for a brighter future in Europe.
She arrived in Croatia after making the arduous journey with family across mountains and oceans from Kunduz, Afghanistan, on Tuesday, reported Associated Press news agency.She arrived in Croatia after making the arduous journey with family across mountains and oceans from Kunduz, Afghanistan, on Tuesday, reported Associated Press news agency.
"My legs hurt, but I'm fine," Ms Uzbeki said in Farsi, speaking through a translator - her hands shaking."My legs hurt, but I'm fine," Ms Uzbeki said in Farsi, speaking through a translator - her hands shaking.
She said her 17-member family had travelled for 20 days to reach Europe, with her 67-year-old son and her 19-year-old grandson often carrying her on their backs.She said her 17-member family had travelled for 20 days to reach Europe, with her 67-year-old son and her 19-year-old grandson often carrying her on their backs.
"We had problems many times. I suffered a lot," she said. "I fell and injured my head. I have scars on my head.""We had problems many times. I suffered a lot," she said. "I fell and injured my head. I have scars on my head."
Ms Uzbeki's documents suggest she is 105, and her grandson concurs.Ms Uzbeki's documents suggest she is 105, and her grandson concurs.
Slovenia has cautioned that, should help not be forthcoming, it too could build a fence along its border with Croatia. Slovenia has cautioned that, should help not be forthcoming, it too could build a fence along its border with Croatia. It follows threats a few days ago from Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria to begin building their own barriers.
"If the situation worsens and the Brussels action plan is not fulfilled, then Slovenia has several scenarios prepared, [including] the installation of a fence guarded by forces," said Slovenian Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec."If the situation worsens and the Brussels action plan is not fulfilled, then Slovenia has several scenarios prepared, [including] the installation of a fence guarded by forces," said Slovenian Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec.
Hungary has already fenced off its border with Serbia and Croatia, so such a move would, in theory, mean sealing off completely the migrants' route through the Balkans. Hungary has already fenced off its border with Serbia and Croatia, so such a move would, in theory, mean sealing off that route entirely.
Slovenia has also raised the possibility of invoking a "solidarity clause" in EU treaties which applies to countries experiencing disasters, reported the Financial Times, citing two unnamed officials familiar with the talks.Slovenia has also raised the possibility of invoking a "solidarity clause" in EU treaties which applies to countries experiencing disasters, reported the Financial Times, citing two unnamed officials familiar with the talks.
The clause, which has not been used before, allows a country to request EU aid and military support. The threat to invoke it caused alarm among EU officials, the FT reported, prompting the pledge of border guards. The clause, which has not been used before, allows a country to request EU aid and military support. The threat to invoke it caused alarm among EU officials, the FT reported, prompting the pledge of border guards.
Further north, Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner says there were plans to beef up barriers and build a fence at border crossing points from Slovenia. Further north, Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner says there are plans to beef up barriers and build a fence at border crossing points from Slovenia.
She stressed it was "not about closing the border", but about dealing with pressure from large disorderly crowds pushing to cross the border.She stressed it was "not about closing the border", but about dealing with pressure from large disorderly crowds pushing to cross the border.
"This is about ensuring an orderly, controlled entry into our country... not about shutting down the border.""This is about ensuring an orderly, controlled entry into our country... not about shutting down the border."
A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.