Sutaj Estok: Border Action Gave Clear Signal of Change in Slovak Migrant Policy

Bratislava, October 31 (TASR) - The preventive police operation on the border with Hungary was supposed to send out a clear signal that Slovakia is not safe for the transit of illegal migrants and people-smugglers, said Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) after the operation ended on Tuesday morning. The minister said that both the ministry and the Police Corps are ready to deploy forces into action again at any time. He added that no migrants were caught during the operation, but two groups were discouraged from crossing the border. "The operation clearly showed illegal migrants, but especially people-smugglers, that Slovakia's migration policy is definitely changing and that Slovakia is no place for illegal people-smugglers to carry out their business," stated the interior minister. Hundreds of police officers, soldiers, equipment, dog handlers, drones, vehicles equipped with thermal imaging and boats were deployed in the operation. The minister said that it was thanks to the technology that a group of people in Banska Bystrica region was detected and migrants deterred from crossing the border. He announced that the ministry will consider replacing manpower with modern technology, adding that the ministry's technical equipment is one of the problems that will have to be addressed. Sutaj Estok stated that world events will continue to be monitored, and although the situation on the Serbian-Hungarian border is calming down, it will not be underestimated. This is partly why he's asked for the convening of the country's Security Council to provide information from the intelligence services. He stressed the need to protect the Schengen zone. Sutaj Estok would be happy if his first joint foreign visit with Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) was to Hungary so that he can meet Premier Viktor Orban. He believes that it will be possible to reach an agreement with the Hungarians on cooperation and on protecting the Slovak and Schengen borders. Acting Police Corps president Rastislav Polakovic added that the police have never organised such a big operation as the one that took place on Monday night. He noted that police officers spotted two groups of illegal migrants in the districts of Lucenec and Velky Krtis. These groups turned round and left when they saw the forces deployed, he added. ko/df