Pec pod Snezkou, East Bohemia, Aug 10 (CTK) – Former Czech president Vaclav Klaus perceives the current immigration wave as a most fundamental danger, he told journalists Monday and added that European countries should take measures on their borders to avert the arrival of refugees.
“Europe should clearly say no to the refugees arriving at its territory and take strictest measures along the border to avert them,” Klaus said during the annual pilgrimage to the Snezka Mountain (1602 MASL), the highest one in the Czech Republic.
Klaus said the attitude to the current situation is most irresponsible, on the part of both Europe and Czech politicians.
“The Czechs seek an accuse in Europe,” Klaus said.
In mid-June, the Czech police tightened border checks in reaction to the rising numbers of immigrants and they have been uncovering more and more of them. They mainly come from Syria, followed by Iraq and Afghanistan.
Most of them arrived in the Czech Republic from Greece via Hungary and Austria and almost all of them say their next destination is Germany. The Interior Ministry expects 5000 to 7000 refugees in the Czech Republic next year, an increase from some 3500 this year.
Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka reassured the public that the police keep the situation in check.
The foreigner police detain approximately 40 foreigners who have crossed the border illegally per week.
The Czech government has approved a plan according to which it should accept 1500 refugees a week. The total would rise to 700 next year and 400 in 2017.
The Czech Republic should take over approximately 1100 people from EU countries with a big influx of refugees, particularly Italy and Greece, and some 400 from Middle East camps.
