By: Moja Dolenjska
Following the statements by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani that Italy has requested a temporary suspension of the Schengen Agreement with Slovenia, the parliamentary group of SDS is demanding that the Committee on Internal Affairs of the National Assembly discuss this issue. They believe that Italy’s recent move reflects a lack of trust in Slovenia’s policies and success in preventing illegal migrations.
Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Tajani stated at the congress of the South Tyrolean People’s Party (SVP) in Merano on Saturday that Italy “has requested a temporary suspension of the Schengen Agreement with Slovenia due to the danger of infiltration of terrorists among refugees coming from the Middle East through this country,” as reported by the Italian news agency ANSA.
“We believe that Italy’s recent move demonstrates a lack of trust in Slovenia’s policies and success in preventing illegal migrations, and therefore, we propose convening an emergency session to address this issue more thoroughly,” SDS stated.
In SDS, they propose that the committee of the National Assembly request a detailed report from the Ministry of the Interior within two months on the measures taken and implemented to protect the border and prevent migrant smuggling. They also suggest that the committee demand from the government to take all necessary steps to prevent Italy from suspending the Schengen Agreement with Slovenia.
Italy introduced border controls with Slovenia last October. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi stated at the time that the Italian eastern border is an entry point for migrants on the so-called Balkan route. As he explained, among them could be terrorists associated, among other things, with the Islamic State, which Italian authorities do not intend to underestimate.