EU-Turkey refugee deal should continue says Slovenia

By Baris Seckin

ROME

Slovenia's foreign minister said Thursday the EU-Turkey agreement on refugees should continue in order to prevent a possible migration wave into the western Balkans.

Karl Erjavec made the comment after meeting with his Italian counterpart Angelino Alfano during a working visit to Italy.

During the meeting, the ministers discussed bilateral relations as well as regional developments, including the migrant crisis.

Addressing a joint press conference, Erjavec said there was no risk of a migration route into the Balkans as long as the refugee deal between Turkey and the European Union continued.

In March 2016, Turkey and the EU signed a deal aimed at discouraging irregular migration through the Aegean Sea by taking stricter measures against human traffickers and improving the conditions of the nearly 3 million Syrian refugees in Turkey.

"Dialogue with Ankara should be maintained to keep the [refugee] deal going," Erjavec said.

However, he voiced concern over "negative results" of such "a migration wave into the western Balkans".

The minister also warned against the instability that might be created by "foreign fighters" who he said could return to their countries as Daesh loses the battle in the field.