PRAGUE, July 16 -- Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis said on Monday that he does not consider it is correct that France, Germany, Malta, Portugal and Spain will accept each part of the 450 migrants from the boat rescued in the Mediterranean Sea on Saturday.
Babis made the remarks after meeting the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Secretary-General Angel Gurria on Monday.
Babis said these countries' decision will motivate people-smugglers. "In doing so, we motivate the people-smuggling mafia to send further illegal migrants to Europe," Babis was quoted as saying. He said the EU should send out a signal showing that it cannot accept illegal migrants.
The Czech prime minister believed that the situation should be solved by preventing boats with migrants from leaving Africa. He supports EU's agreements with North African countries and the countries of the migrants' origin.
The Italian government allowed the 450 migrants to disembark in Sicily after the five countries promised to accept 50 people each.
Czech PM and foreign minister said at the weekend that the country will not accept any refugee from the group of 450 illegal migrants.