Prague, 4 January 2024 (dpa/MIA) - The Czech Republic announced Wednesday it is extending its temporary border checks with Slovakia until February 2.

Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakušan said the checks would continue following a cabinet meeting in Prague. The Czech Republic wants to combat irregular migration and people smuggling.

Both countries belong to the Schengen area, in which passport-free travel is supposed to be possible.

More than 680,000 people have already been checked since the checks began at the beginning of October, said Rakušan. More than 1,100 people had been turned back at the border. A further 120 people were transferred to Slovakia as part of a readmission agreement.

So far, 58 people have been detained for suspected smuggling offences.

Slovakia intends to phase out its border checks with Hungary, which were extended until January 22. A further extension is not necessary because the situation is "relatively calm and stable", said Slovak Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj-Eštok in a TV interview on Wednesday.

However, he expects that "major problems" could arise again from the spring. Slovakia could then also reintroduce border checks.

Photo: EPA