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Serbia 'Shocked' By Hungary Plan To Build Antimigrant Fence


Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic says he is "surprised and shocked" by the Hungarian government's plan to close the border with Serbia and erect a fence along the shared border to keep out illegal migrants.

"I am surprised and shocked. We will discuss this decision with our Hungarian colleagues," Vucic told Serbian state TV during a visit to Oslo.

Earlier on June 17, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said the government instructed the Interior Ministry to "begin preparation work for a 4-meter-high fence along the length" of the 175-kilometer border.

"Immigration is one of the most serious problem facing the European Union today," Szijjarto told journalists. "The EU's countries seek a solution, but Hungary cannot afford to wait any longer."

The number of migrants and asylum seekers entering Hungary, mostly across the southern border with Serbia, has sky-rocketed since the second half of 2014.

Officials said that so far this year, some 54,000 migrants had entered Hungary, up from 43,000 in 2014 and 2,150 in 2012.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP

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