Slovakia ready to help Slovenia patrol Croatian border

Slovakia is ready to lend a helping hand to Slovenia, which has requested police and financial assistance to boost the protection of its border with Croatia, Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák said after Wednesday's Cabinet meeting. He noted that as far back as before the summer he talked to his colleagues in Slovenia and Croatia regarding how the migration issue cannot be resolved merely by statements; rather, concrete action is needed. "The underestimation of the situation is taking a bit of a toll now, but we're ready to help Slovenia and talk with Croatia as the situation there is good neither for the two states nor for the refugees", said Kaliňák. Slovenia's Parliament passed legislation to provide the armed forces with wider powers in helping police patrol the country's borders. Thousands of refugees are now entering the country crossing into Croatia following Hungary closing its external borders. Slovenia is also set to ask the EU for financial backup and police assistance. A total of 9,000 refugees crossed the 670-kilometre border between Croatia and Slovenia on Tuesday alone. Slovenia says that it can handle at most 2,500 refugees per day. The Slovenian armed forces comprise only 7,000 soldiers, with 140 of them deployed on the border to help out the border police.