Another cause for concern is the large number of migrants in Greece and Western Balkan countries, especially in Serbia, the ministry said.

Interior Ministry State secretary Boštjan Šefic stressed at the conference that countries must face the challenges of mass migrations together and form solutions that would include everyone.

In the absence of a join response to the situation, countries have already started taking action on their own and the setting up of internal borders within the Schengen zone is already obstructing free movement of people and goods, he warned.

In the future, solutions must be based on the principles of humanitarianism, solidarity and responsibility, which means that the most burdened countries must be assisted. Those who need protection must be protected and those who are abusing the system effectively averted, the ministry said.

Šefic asserted that Slovenia would remain a credible member of the EU and the Schengen zone in the future as well and would actively support result-oriented solutions. But he also highlighted the importance of providing for the safety of Slovenian citizens and other citizens of the Schengen zone.

Similarly, Defence Ministry State Secretary Miloš Bizjak said the meeting had three highlights. The first was a call for solidarity among all countries affected by migration, especially on the Balkan route, the second was a "clear signal to smugglers that we'll do everything to cut their routes" and the third was that "we'll try to do everything to control our external borders".

The countries also adopted a declaration on joint management of migration challenges today, "in which we agreed to draw up an action plan by April for a case of potential deterioration of the migration situation," Bizjak said.

The project will be led by Austrian Interior Minister Wolfgang Sobotka, who will prepare the draft.

"First we need to identify the needs and then our options - be it staff, funds or equipment that we'll be able to offer to the country that will be most affected," Bizjak said.

Slovenia has also offered its platform for regional cooperation of internal ministers - the Brdo Process, the Interior Ministry noted.