Poland and the Czech Republic, which straddle Slovakia’s northern border, announced on Tuesday that they would introduce border controls with Slovakia from Wednesday, even though all three EU countries are in the Schengen zone.

Polish checkpoint on the border with SlovakiaPhoto: AA/ABACA / Abaca Press / Profimedia

The Czech Republic will introduce temporary controls on its border with Slovakia from Wednesday to stop the flow of illegal migration and the activities of smugglers, Czech Interior Minister Vit RakuĊĦan said, according to Reuters.

Random checks will be carried out along the entire length of the border until October 13, with the possibility of extension, he said on the X social network.

This measure was taken in coordination with Poland, Rakusan added.

Poland will also conduct temporary checks on its border with Slovakia starting at midnight, Poland’s interior minister said on Tuesday.

“From midnight today, we are restoring temporary control on the border with Slovakia. We will check entry into Poland,” said Mariusz Kaminski, adding that the measure will be in effect for 10 days.

  • Read also High-stakes meeting in Brussels: EU interior ministers discuss ‘crisis mechanism’ to deal with migrant influx / All eyes now on Germany