The Czech government has made the decision to extend random border controls with Slovakia beyond the initial cutoff date of October 13th. This extension, announced by Vice Prime Minister Vít Rakušan of the STAN party, will prolong the border controls for an additional 20 days, making the new end date November 2nd. The Czech Republic, Poland, and Austria had initiated these border controls at the Slovakian border since last Wednesday.

The primary objective of these border controls is to reduce the number of undocumented migrants who enter their respective territories, with most of them intending to continue their journey further westward in Europe. In response to this, the outgoing Slovak government also introduced border controls on its borders with Hungary, which have been similarly extended until November 3rd.

These periodic border controls on the Czech-Slovak border are an annual occurrence, typically implemented once a year. In the previous year, they were instituted in late September due to a surge in migrant arrivals and remained in effect until early February. Rakušan emphasized that the decision to extend the border controls aligns with the actions taken by neighboring countries.

Rakušan explained, “To prevent the Czech Republic from becoming an incentive for migration flows, we have decided to extend border protection for an additional 20 days until November 2nd.” The cost of these border controls with Slovakia is estimated to be 53.4 million CZK. As of Monday, the police had apprehended 283 migrants and arrested 12 individuals involved in human smuggling.

The extension of border controls underscores the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges posed by irregular migration and ensuring the security and effective management of the Czech-Slovak border. By aligning efforts with neighboring countries, the Czech Republic seeks to discourage illegal migration and uphold the integrity of its borders.

While these border controls may pose inconveniences for travelers, they are considered necessary to regulate the flow of people and maintain order effectively. The government will continue to closely monitor the situation and evaluate the effectiveness of these measures.

The extension of border controls until November 2nd reflects the paramount importance placed on border security and the government’s commitment to addressing migration challenges in a comprehensive and responsible manner. It signifies the country’s dedication to safeguarding national security and managing irregular migration in a diligent and effective way.

Article by Prague Forum