BERLIN, Sept 16 (Askume) – Germany reintroduced temporary controls on its western and northern borders on Monday as part of efforts to combat irregular migration and cross-border crime , the interior ministry said.
The restrictions are part of a series of measures Germany has taken to toughen its stance on irregular migration amid a surge in arrivals, particularly among people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East, and growing support among the far-right and conservative opposition.
Checks will now apply for an initial six months at Germany’s land borders with France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Denmark, in another blow to free movement within the EU.
They are already present at border crossings with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland.
The department said the AFP will apply controls flexibly, taking actions based on current security conditions and focusing on minimising disruption to travellers, commuters and business.
Traffic at the border was light on Monday.
The ministry advises travellers to carry valid identification and non-EU citizens should have entry documents, including visas, ready for inspection.
These changes come against the backdrop of a drop in asylum applications in Germany, which fell by 21.7% in the first eight months of this year.
Home Affairs Minister Nancy Facer said numbers had fallen, partly due to controls implemented last year that prevented more than 30,000 unauthorised entries.
“Therefore, in line with my order today, we will expand the temporary border controls to include all German land borders,” he said in a statement.
He further said, “My command also aims to prevent the serious threat of Islamic extremist terrorism and serious cross-border crime.”
These measures were criticised by Germany’s neighbours. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for urgent consultations with other affected countries , which are concerned about the inclusion of more asylum seekers and the impact on trade.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer warned that if Germany takes steps to send more migrants back across the two countries’ shared border, Austria would respond by sending more people east into the Balkans.
The border inspection programme with Austria will continue until November 11, 2024.
Germany’s interior ministry indicated that further expansion could be on the cards.
