THE MIGRANT FLOW IN THE REGION OF EASTERN STYRIA

Abstract

Due to the flow of migrants and refugees from the Near and Middle East, the North-Eastern part of Slovenia was one of the most burdened areas. In a short period of time, the North-Eastern part of Slovenia witnessed two migration waves. During the first migration wave, which lasted only a couple of days, two migration centres were set up (in the old school on the Zagrebška Street in Maribor and in the Črni les Hotel near Lenart) in the region of Eastern Styria. The closure of the border between the Republic of Hungary and the Republic of Croatia directed the migrant course towards the Republic of Slovenia, which as a result established reception and accommodation centres on its territory. One of the accommodation centres was located in Šentilj in front of the former border crossing with the Republic of Austria. The Šentilj Accommodation Centre was established on two platforms which included fair tents of all shapes and sizes. They were intended for temporary accommodation of migrants who were on their way to the Republic of Austria, Germany, Belgium and elsewhere.