The president of the Czech Republic has claimed Muslim integration in Western Europe is “practically impossible”.

President Milos Zeman, 71, said during a televised interview that Islamic “culture” should not be taken into Europe, or else “it will end up like Cologne”, referring to the large number of sexual assaults on New Year's Eve in the German city.

The 71-year-old, who is well-known for his outspoken anti-migrant rhetoric, said: “The experience of western European countries which have ghettos and excluded localities shows that the integration of the Muslim community is practically impossible.”

Using the Vietnamese and Ukrainian communities in the Czech Republic as examples, he added: “Integration is possible with cultures that are similar, and the similarities may vary.”

Mr Zeman's claim comes as Austria announced it will deploy its military troops to stop refugees from travelling through the country to get to Germany and beyond.

Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Show all 13 1 /13 Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Women protest against sexism outside Cologne Cathedral on 5 January after the assaults Oliver Berg/EPA Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Women protest against sexism in Cologne following the rash of sex attacks on New Year's Eve Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Police initially failed to mention the assaults in report the following morning EPA Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Police officers patrol in front of the main station of Cologne, Germany AP Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks German far-right supporters demonstrate at Cologne`s train station (Reuters) Reuters Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Supporters of anti-immigration right-wing movement Pegida in Cologne, Germany, January 9, 2016. Reuters Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Police used pepper spray to control supporters of Pegida, Hogesa (Hooligans against Salafists) and other right-wing populist groups as they protested against the New Year's Eve sex attacks on 9 January, 2016 in Cologne, Germany Reuters Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Police use a water cannon during a protest march by supporters of anti-immigration right-wing movement Pegida in Cologne, Germany, January 9, 2016 Reuters Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Police use pepper spray against supporters of anti-immigration right-wing movement Pegida, in Cologne, Germany, January 9, 2016. Reuters Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Artist Mira Moiré protests naked in Cologne against the mass sex attacks on New Year's Eve AP Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks A demonstrator holds a sign in German that reads 'No violence against women' during a demonstration in the wake of the sexual assaults on New Year's Eve, outside the cathedeal in Cologne, Germany, 09 January 2016. EPA Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Counter demonstrators hold up a sign reading "Against sexism, against racism" as they protest against a demonstration of the islamophobic movement PEGIDA at the train station in Cologne, Germany, on January 9, 2016. AFP/Getty Images Germany reacts to Cologne New Year's Eve attacks Demonstration by a women’s group on Saturday (AP) AP

The new regulations, issued by the Austrian Defence Ministry, will see hundreds of migrants being denied access and sent back home.

Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Miki-Leitner told state broadcaster ORF: “What is the situation currently on the German-Austrian border? That only those who want asylum in Germany are being let through, and those who want to travel onward are sent back.”

Border officials reported more than 3,000 migrants who arrived using false identities had been sent back.

Slovenia is also considering the military option. A Slovenian Interior Ministry official reportedly said the country would have to decide on either taking similar action, or coping with the rejected migrants.

Germany: 'No sign' alleged NYE assaults are linked to refugees - Cologne's mayor

Austria has been engaged in talks with both Slovenia and Germany to find solutions to manage the influx of people.

In December, Mr Zeman claimed the large influx of refugees was an “organised invasion", which he later said Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood was responsible for.

He told Czech Radio earlier this month: "The Muslim Brotherhood cannot start a war against Europe, it doesn’t have the power, but it can prepare a growing migrant wave and gradually control Europe."

According to the United Nations refugee taskforce, more than one million migrants - the majority refugees fleeing violence in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria - reached Europe in 2015.

Few seeking asylum, however, chose to stay in the Czech Republic, with many seeing it as a route into the more prosperous Germany.