EU declares borders must stay open

Earlier this week, Germany, France and Spain wrote a joint plea for the EU to respect national sovereignty on the question of immigration and open borders.

However, according to the new EU proposals, a country will only be able to reestablish border controls within the Schengen Zone for a five-day stretch.

If a member state wants to reintroduce border controls for a greater period of time, this must be approved by both the commission and the majority of EU countries.
A permit would then be allowed for thirty days, with a maximum extension to sixty.

The European Commission noted that such an application could be made in the wake of threats to public order, such as in waves of mass emigration.

“Our proposal is aimed at strengthening the Schengen Zone, which will be to the advantage of all countries,” said EC spokesman Michele Cercone.

The last nine months, which saw the so-called “Arab Spring”, with a series popular risings in northern Africa, prompted vast waves of immigration, chiefly to Italy. French president Nicolas Sarkozy then spearheaded a campaign to reintroduce national sovereignty at borders. (nh/pg)

Source: IAR