"Austria, one of the three countries, along with Germany and Sweden, which accept refugees most of all. Our decision will cause consequences for the states of the so-called Balkan route, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Macedonia… Macedonia will have to completely stop the flow of refugees," Kurz was quoted as saying by Macedonian Nova TV broadcaster.
After taking in a quota of 37,000 refugees and closing the borders, Austria will send the police and military forces under the direct command of the Macedonian authorities as well as provide other necessary assistance, the foreign minister added.
The measure follows Austria's decision to limit this year’s refugee intake to 38,000, compared with 90,000 asylum seekers in 2015.
In mid-January, Vienna temporarily suspended the Schengen agreement and toughened border checks in order to curb the refugee influx and deport refugees, who have not filed an asylum request in Austria.
