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Controversial Andrej Babis insisted it would be Prague, and not Jean-Claude Juncker, which would decide who entered his country as he railed against “incapable and ineffective” eurocrats. He vowed the Eastern European country would continue its opposition to Brussels imposed migrant quotas and said richer member states should not complain because they benefit from cheap Czech labour.

GETTY Czech deputy PM Andrej Babis said his country did not want to end up like Germany

In an extraordinary interview likely to enrage EU leaders the firebrand politician claimed that countries like Germany and Sweden, which have taken in large numbers of refugees, are facing “serious” social issues as a result. And he voiced fears in Prague that if it agrees to accept a small number of asylum seekers now, eurocrats will try to increase that number in the future to alleviate political pressure over migration which is growing elsewhere.

GETTY Donald Trump's deputy Mike Pence was in Brussels for talks with eurocrats today

GETTY Germany has taken in over a million refugees

In a dynamite interview he told EurActiv Poland: “We want our companies to choose foreign workers when we want, not when Jean-Claude Juncker will tell us to. “Helping Germany is one thing. The other is deciding about the quota system. That’s what has completely divided the EU. “There can be solidarity, but if we have control. Because one day we agree on the number of refugees, and the next day 15 or 20 thousand more will come at our doorstep.” He went on: “You can’t agree with amounts that can’t work. We can put a nice show about solidarity but take a look at the Germany or Sweden today. “What is happening with emigrants there? It’s a serious issue. We have thousands of non-registered people that threaten our citizens.”

One day we agree on the number of refugees, and the next day 15 or 20 thousand more will come at our doorstep Czech deputy PM Andrej Babis

Mr Babis said that Europe is facing a “very different” type of migration to in the past, when smaller number of newcomers were more easily able to integrate with the general population. And he made an astonishing call for a fortress Europe where migrants are kept out at the frontiers of the EU - a concept he dubbed an “Asterix village” after the famous French comic book series. He said: “Inside everything is functioning smoothly, which benefits the free movement of goods, services, people and capital, there are no discrimination and barriers. “Asterix village cannot just allow for anyone just fishing for a better life, it is not enough for that. Asterix village is only open for those who are ready to contribute to the common welfare and should be able to choose its inhabitants accordingly.”

Dramatic images as 500 migrants jump the border into Spanish enclave of Ceuta Mon, February 20, 2017 Around 500 sub-Saharan African migrants crossed the fenced border surrounding Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 19 African migrants react as they arrive at the CETI, the short-stay immigrant centre, after crossing the border from Morocco to Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta