Green light for extending border controls

brussels - Austria, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway share of internal border control three months longer. Despite protests from several member states voted for European Affairs EU ministers on Tuesday with an extension until mid-May.

Austria may continue to controls along the border with Hungary and Slovenia, and Germany, along with Austria. In the case of Sweden and Denmark regards the Öresund Bridge and ferries. That also applies to Norway.

Checks must be focused and proportionate and kept to a minimum. The five countries, the need should judge every week back and lift controls as soon as possible.

They got permission last May because of the large number of migrants entering Europe via Greece. According to the European Commission, there is still chance of recurrence. The intent free movement of persons within the Schengen area weather continues to recover as quickly as possible.

Germany said last week it wanted to continue the inspections with the threat of terrorism as a legal, rather than the migrant crisis. Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière gave therefor especially the attack in Berlin as a reason. France already longer controls its borders by invoking the threat of terrorism, which extension is easier.

Greece, Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia earlier to vote against the extension of the controls. Bulgaria, Cyprus and Poland said they take no position.