Interior minister says referendum could be held on granting asylum to Syrian refugees

The minister of the interior, Milan Chovanec, says a national referendum could be held to decide on whether the Czech Republic should accept refugees from Syria. Speaking on a TV discussion show on Sunday, Mr. Chovanec said accepting between 5,000 and 10,000 had been mooted but that the process was in its initial phases. He said the Czech Republic had to be very careful about who it allowed in. Over 100 Syrian refugees have arrived in the country since the start of their state's civil war in 2011. European Union interior ministers are due to discuss on Friday the granting of asylum to Syrians; Mr. Chovanec will discuss the Czech position with the cabinet on Monday.

Author: Ian Willoughby