Berlin, Germany’s temporary stationary controls at the borders with Poland, the Czech Republic and Switzerland were extended for a further 20 days on Tuesday. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser informed the European Commission of the extension.
Her ministry said Germany’s federal police have caught around 90 people smugglers at these border controls since October 16. “Our bundle of stationary and mobile border police measures is important for curbing irregular migration to Germany,” said Faeser.
Close contact continues to be maintained with neighbouring countries to ensure that all measures on both sides of the border work together as effectively as possible, she said.
The interior minister had initially announced fixed border controls at these sections for a 10 day period on October 16, and then extended them for first time by 20 days, DPA reported.
She justified the measures as an important part of the fight against irregular immigration and people smuggling. Faeser said that she wanted to return to normal borders, where no controls were necessary, as quickly as possible.
The reform of the Common European Asylum System with comprehensive protection of the EU’s external borders was “the key step” towards this, she said.
Temporary stationary controls have been in place at the land border between Germany and Austria since autumn 2015 and have been repeatedly extended since then.
Source: Bahrain News Agency