Austria is continuing extraordinary controls at the Schengen border with the Czech Republic for fear of illegal migration. The Ministry of the Interior announced on Saturday that checks will continue for a further two months after December 17 for the time being.
“Border controls are necessary both to combat the smuggling mafia and to take consistent action against internationally active extremists,” said Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP).
Border controls with the Czech Republic since October
According to information, border controls between Austria and the Czech Republic were reintroduced on October 18. Austria already carries out checks at its borders with Slovakia, Hungary, and Slovenia to combat illegal migration. The Ministry of the Interior is also planning “intensive controls” in the areas close to the borders with Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
Border controls are not normally planned within the Schengen area and must be reported to the EU Commision. However, according to the communication, 11 out of 27 Schengen member states carry out internal controls. This clarifies that “the Schengen system is broken as long as external border protection does not work.”
- source: APA/picture: pixabay.com
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