Slovenian Interior Minister Vesna Györkös Znidar gives interviews after her meeting with Pintér (in the back). (Photo: MTI/György Varga)

The Hungarian minister said that migrational pressure on Hungary from Croatia is huge, as “approximately 25,000 illegal immigrants” reportedly arrived over the weekend. Therefore, the Hungarian government needs to “prepare for protection”. Pintér added that if the “pressure” does not ease, “even the green border” could be closed as Hungary did in the case of Serbia.

Pintér said that negotiations with his Slovenian counterpart “were extremely constructive”, adding that he hoped that “all doubts have been dispelled in connection with the cooperation of the police forces of the two countries.”

News reports suggested that razor wires and mobile gates were installed on the Hungarian Slovenian borders, which were then disassembled over the weekend. However, Pintér said that if “illegal migrants” decide to enter Hungary from Slovenia, “temporary border protection” could be installed on the Slovenian border as well, after an announcement on the matter is made. Pintér said that border control could be temporarily reinstated on Schengen borders.

In response to a question, Pintér said that there is “no exact date for the closure of the Croatian border, however, there is substantial pressure” on Hungary, and the closure depends on how Hungary “can deal with the influx of illegal migrants”.