Czech Republic offering Hungary help in patrolling its border

The Czech Republic is offering Hungary 50 police officers and 100 soldiers to help protect its stretch of Schengen’s outer border, Czech Interior Minister Milan Chovanec told journalists after a meeting of Višegrad Group interior ministers on Thursday. The offer of assistance comes in response to a request from Hungary. The Czech Republic which currently presides over the Višegrad Group suggested it should be a joint Višegrad initiative and Slovakia and Poland have nodded to the idea. Slovakia has promised to send 50 officers, Poland said it was not at present able to specify the assistance it could offer. The Czech soldiers and police offers are expected to operate in Hungary from mid-October till mid-December.