The Croatian government proposed on Friday, March 4, amendments to the laws on border control and defense to enable the armed forces to help police in managing the flow of migrants, Reuters reports.

"It doesn't mean we will activate this tomorrow, but we want to have this option," Prime Minister Tihomir Oreskovic told a cabinet session.

Croatia, the newest European Union member, is on the Balkan route which migrants from the Middle East use to reach wealthy western European countries, most notably Germany. Between 650,000 and 700,000 migrants have passed through Croatia since last September.

The parliament has to approve the legal changes.