EbS Jean-Claude Juncker warned the Czech Republic over migrant quotas

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The EU Commission chief made the blunt warning during a keynote speech in the Czech Republic, which recently announced it is suspending its participation in the controversial scheme. He told delegates in Prague he was “saddened” by the decision and fired a warning shot off to neighbours Poland, Hungary and Slovakia that the policy “must be accepted”.

But the top eurocrat’s tough talking risks opening up an enormous East-West rift at the heart of Europe all whilst he is trying to hold the bloc together during the Brexit talks. The Czech Republic took in just 12 refugees last year out of its allocation of 2,691, and last week announced that it would not take any more before the scheme expires in November.

GETTY Czech Interior Minister Milan Chovanec, left, has pulled his country out of the scheme

Expaining the decision Interior minister Milan Chovanec attacked the Brussels imposed scheme as “dysfunctional” and said it presented a security threat to the Czech people. He said: ““Due to the aggravated security situation and the dysfunctionality of the whole system, the government approved a proposal to halt this system for the Czech Republic. "That means the Czech Republic will not be asking for migrants to be relocated from Greece and Italy." Poland, Hungary and Slovakia have already refused to take part in the troubled policy, with the latter two currently fighting a court battle to overturn it altogether. And Austria and Denmark have also refused to take in a single refugee citing various concerns, with just 20,000 of the EU’s target of 160,000 having been relocated so far. Speaking at the Charles University in Prague this afternoon Mr Juncker tore into countries not doing their part and warned them their funding from Brussels could be slashed.

Solidarity is not a one-way street Jean-Claude Juncker

He said: “The member states of the Union also collectively took a decision to show solidarity with Italy and Greece and to relocate refugees. It saddens me that the Czech Republic has only relocated 12 people last year and none since. “And I was very displeased to read in the press that the Czech Government is considering to halt the relocation entirely. I’m trying to understand national sensitivities around this matter.” He continued: “But more than just a principle, solidarity is a state of mind that goes to the very heart of what the European Union is about. “Solidarity is also not a one-way street. Those who want to benefit from solidarity, such as in the form of European cohesion funds, must be prepared to show solidarity. “For me, the Czech Republic and the Czechs are very European so it must be European in migration too. Jointly agreed tools must be respected.”

Powerful images as migrants protest in Hungary Tue, April 4, 2017 Migrants protest outside Budapest's Keleti Railway Station after it was closed off by police to prevent people travelling on to western Europe Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 53 A migrant taunts Hungarian riot police as they fire tear gas and water cannon on the Serbian side of the border, near Roszke