The Czech Republic should defend its borders, using the
army to expel “illegal immigrants” because the European Union isn’t curbing the
influx of refugees into the bloc, President Milos
Zeman said.
Zeman’s comments echoed those of other politicians calling
for the EU to take action to stem the flood of people into the region from
Syria and other conflict areas as they travel through Greece and the Balkan
states to western Europe.
“Of course I would wish for the EU to strengthen its borders,
but I don’t see any real action,” Zeman told reporters in Prague castle on
Monday. “Therefore I believe the Czech Republic should take of its borders
alone and expel illegal immigrants from the borders, including with the use of
the army.”
The refugee crisis has escalated in central Europe this
month, with Austrian police finding a Hungarian-licensed truck containing the
bodies of 71 migrants last week. Scores more drowned when their boats capsized
off the coast of Libya. Most refugees traveling to the EU pass through former
communist countries as they head to Germany and other richer states.
