COVID-19: deployment of the Slovenian Army on its southern border
24.4.2020
Priority question for written answer P-002508/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Valter Flego (Renew)
Some mayors of Slovenian border municipalities have sent a letter to the Slovenian Ministry of Defence, urging the Slovenian Government to activate Article 37(a) of the Slovenian Defence Law and requesting the deployment of the army to Slovenia’s southern border to prevent illegal migration and the possible spread of COVID-19. The Slovenian Government has announced that it will push ahead with its decision to deploy the army at the border in order to protect the interests of Slovenian citizens. Deploying the army at the border will not solve the problem of the COVID-19 epidemic, nor will it reduce the number of cases of illegal migration, but it could significantly disrupt good neighbourly relations between countries, undermine the rule of law and destroy the Schengen idea of abolishing borders and creating a single European space. In the light of the above:
- 1.What is the Commission doing to prevent the erection of walls within the EU and to combat the destruction of the idea of a single Schengen area?
- 2.Is the Commission aware of the statements made by the Slovenian Government on the possible deployment of the army on Slovenia’s southern border?
- 3.Does the Commission plan to take concrete steps to halt such practices and to protect the foundations on which the EU rests, namely solidarity, good neighbourly relations and a single Schengen area?