Nikolic: Leaving Balkan borders open unacceptable

BITOLA - A closure of European borders is unacceptable if the borders of Balkan states that are outside the EU are to remain open, Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic said Friday in a comment on the migrant crisis.

"It is also unacceptable that Europe protects its borders half-way across Europe - they are obliged to protect them from the start," Nikolic told reporters in Bitola after a meeting with Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov.

Macedonia's troubles with migrants are also being carried over into Serbia and the problem will have to be solved through joint efforts, Nikolic said.

"Those who are in the European Union are getting more assistance to solve problems, while those who are not are getting less, so we will have to solve this problem together," Nikolic said.