Croatia Opens Its Border with Serbia to Refugees

Reports indicate that following the cold weather and worsening conditions for thousands of refugees in Serbia, Croatia has opened its border with Serbia to refugees. Meanwhile, reports suggest that following the closure of Hungary's southern borders and Slovenia's announcement that it would accept a specific number of migrants daily, the number of refugees behind the borders of Serbia and Croatia is increasing. According to Reuters, despite Slovenian officials stating that the country would only accept 2,500 migrants daily, reports indicate that on Monday, October 19, 5,000 people crossed from Croatia into Slovenia. According to the report, the Slovenian Minister of the Interior stated that Croatia is ignoring our requests and plans. He mentioned that if the influx of refugees into Slovenia continues at this rate, military forces will be called in to control the situation. A spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees stated that over 10,000 refugees are trapped in Serbia, with their numbers increasing and no way to move to other countries. Milta Sonjic, a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said: 'The movement of refugees is like a large river of people; wherever you block its path, the flood will flow elsewhere.' The UN High Commissioner for Refugees stated that Croatian police allowed 2,000 to 3,000 refugees to enter Croatia from Serbia on Monday evening. Earlier reports indicated that thousands of refugees were trapped in the village of 'Brkazovo' at the Serbia-Croatia border. Despite the adverse weather conditions, Croatia had not allowed these refugees to enter. Following the intensification of the refugee crisis in Europe and the closure of Croatia's border with Hungary, Croatia is directing refugees towards its border with Slovenia. Officials from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees say that most of these refugees are citizens of Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. According to AFP, most refugees are trying to reach Germany, which has the strongest economy in Europe and is estimated to accept about one million refugees by the end of this year.