Prague, June 10 (CTK) – Czech tourists do not face any threat in southern Europe in relation to the influx of refugees, Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek told journalists before the start of the summer tourist season yesterday.
“We don’t consider the refugee influx in countries such as Italy and Greece, especially the island of Kos, to be an increased security risk. We have not received reports about any problems that would concern holiday makers,” Zaoralek said.
On the contrary, Zaoralek warned against visiting countries, in which militants of the Islamic State movement operated.
“These countries pose enormous risks and it would be gambling with one’s life (to visit them),” he said, mentioning Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Libya and Somalia.
During the summer season, temporary Czech consular offices will operate in the most popular tourist destinations – Rijeka and Split in Croatia, Burgas in Bulgaria, and Barcelona.
Czech police will assist in seaside resorts – Omis and Sibenik in Croatia, and Primorsk in Bulgaria. Czech police officers have formed patrols along with their Croat colleagues for eight years. In Bulgaria, they will operate for the third year now.
Zaoralek said the Foreign Ministry issues various notes and warnings against trips to risk regions on its website (www.mzv.cz).
He called on tourists to get registered in the DROZD database of Czechs going abroad. In case of a threat in the given country, Czech authorities can warn the tourists via SMS messages and e-mails and to check if the tourists need any help and are well.
