EU slams Denmark’s decision to step up border controls

THE European Union executive has criticised Denmark’s plans to introduce border controls yesterday, saying any permanent customs checks would contravene EU rules on free movement of people and goods.

Denmark’s centre-right government has agreed to step up frontier controls at the demand of an anti-immigration party that has been holding up approval of its 2020 economic plan.

The move had raised some concerns in Europe where unfettered travel is seen as one of the main achievements of European integration, but it also added to mounting calls in the bloc for curbing immigration through increased border controls.