In order to keep Slovakia safe, the creation of a compact Muslim community in the country must be prevented. "This is the only way to eliminate risks", said Prime Minister Robert Fico in response to events in Cologne, Germany, where dozens of women were sexually harassed and/or robbed during New Year's celebrations. According to Cologne Police the suspects were of 'Arabian or northern African origin'. Two women reported rape. "We don't want something like what happened in Germany to occur in Slovakia", declared Fico on the prospect of Slovak women being harassed in public places.
Robert Fico said that he sees a clear link between migration flows and the events in Cologne, as well as with the November terrorist attacks in Paris. However, he said he doesn't apply the concept of collective guilt. "We protect Slovakia ... There are security risks linked to the migration wave and it is my obligation to talk about them. I am accountable".
According to the premier, Government has to direct its financial aid addressing the migration crisis mainly to the protection of Schengen area borders.
Fico thinks that if the attacks in Paris failed to open the eyes of people in Slovakia who deliberately make light of security risks, the events in Germany will. He was alluding to the New Year's remarks made by President Andrej Kiska, plus the media and Opposition politicians who claim Slovakia is overreacting. "The security risks are simply enormous", said Robert Fico. "These events should be an answer to those who say that migrants with a different religion can easily be integrated. They can't, it simply doesn't work", said Fico.
Despite the vexation that the events in Germany has ignited, the Islamic Foundation in Slovakia stated on Thursday that it rejects direct or indirect linking of terrorism or sexual violence with Islam or even the Muslim community in Slovakia. On its website, the foundation's statement was in response to events in Cologne, Germany, and also to comments made by Prime Minister Robert Fico. Authors of the statement pointed out that the current situation in society may endanger the safety of the Slovak Muslim community members and their families, mainly women and children. "We therefore ask the political representatives and also personalities of social life and the media to have regard for the issue", stated the foundation.
Opposition politicians also reacted to Robert Fico's statement. According to Most-Hid chair Béla Bugár the Government is misusing the issue of migrants to divert public attention away from real problems of Slovakia. Bugár called upon Fico to present his plan of tackling the migration crisis, which should be unveiled by Slovakia during its EU Presidency later this year, instead of engaging in fear mongering. Bugár also added that the Parliament unequivocally rejected the mandatory migration resettlement quotas, hence Bugár fails to understand Prime Minister Fico's need to make continuous statements on the issue. "Even the number of asylum applicants in the 3Q15, which stood at 15, signals unequivocally that Slovakia is not a target country".
