BELGRADE, Serbia

Croatia on Wednesday warned the EU of high numbers of illegal crossings through its borders.

Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said that illegal immigration to EU countries this year is approaching the record levels last seen in the migrant crisis of 2015-2016.

"The number of (illegal) transits to EU countries in the first months of 2023 is much higher than last year. In fact, it is approaching the figures in 2015 and 2016, when the crisis started," Bozinovic said in a joint press conference with visiting Bulgarian Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev in the capital Zagreb.

He added that the war in Ukraine had also increased the number of immigrants to the bloc.

"The war brought many people to the poverty line. All of this puts us in a difficult situation. Europe should not close its doors. Europe must fight illegal immigration," said Bozinovic.

Croatia, which joined the visa-free Schengen area earlier this year, lies on the Western Balkan route frequently used by migrants on their way to Central and Western Europe.

Along with Hungary, the country has faced criticism for its harsh treatment of migrants, trying to repel them at its long borders with Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.