Croatia might deploy army to manage migrant crisis

ZAGREB: Croatia might deploy its armed forces to help police control migrant flows in response to the refugee crisis, Prime Minister Tihomir Oreskovic said on Tuesday.

"If it becomes necessary to use the army, we will activate that option.

It would be an assistance in easing procedure," Oreskovic told a news conference in Berlin after meeting German chancellor Angela Merkel.

Neighbouring Slovenia approved such a move last month after amending existing laws.

Croatia would have to follow a similar process to do likewise. Oreskovic said Croatia favoured a European Union-wide solution to the migrant crisis.

Since last September more than 650,000 migrants have passed through Croatia towards western Europe, primarily Germany, but border restrictions imposed by countries along the Balkan route have led to a build-up of new arrivals in Greece.Since last September more than 650,000 migrants have passed through Croatia towards western Europe, primarily Germany, but border restrictions imposed by countries along the Balkan route have led to a build-up of new arrivals in Greece.

Elsewhere the European Union is proposing increased humanitarian aid for Greece, where more than 20,000 refugees and migrants are stuck.

The European Commission, the EU executive, said on Tuesday it will put forward a plan on Wednesday to offer emergency financial assistance for humanitarian crises inside the 28-nation bloc, comparable with operations it has launched elsewhere in the world.