Ljubljana - The deputy group of the opposition Democrats (SDS) demands an emergency session of the parliamentary Interior Policy Committee to discuss measures for efficient protection of the Schengen border and preventing illegal crossing of the Croatian-Slovenian border.

The party says the number of illegal crossings of the border in the first seven months of the year is worrying and the figures are rising steeply.

Police recorded 8,212 illegal crossings of the border in the January-July period, while 4,552 were recorded in the same period last year, the SDS wrote.

The party also pointed to the abuses of the visa regime for entering Serbia, from where illegal migrants continue their journey towards central European countries.

The government's decision to remove the border fence with Croatia does not contribute to the safety of Slovenian citizens, the SDS said, calling on the government and the Interior Ministry to take more decisive action to protect the Schengen border.

The party proposes a debate and the adoption of several decisions that would prevent illegal crossings of the border. The SDS believes the ministry should immediately stop removing the fence and redirect the funds and staff into efficient border protection.

It proposes that the government and the ministry report on this to parliament within three months.

The SDS also proposes the committee warn the government that assisting in illegal crossing of the border is a crime and that the law enforcement is obligated to take action in such cases.