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.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said in a letter to the Danish prime minister yesterday that a preliminary analysis of Copenhagen’s proposal showed they would go too far in interrupting border traffic.

“This analysis raises important doubts about whether the proposed measures, if implemented in the ‘intensive and permanent’ way that has been announced, would be in line with Denmark’s obligations under (EU) law,” he said.

Danish officials have defended the plan saying it was necessary to control smuggling, illegal immigration and human trafficking, and mirrored sporadic customs checks conducted by other EU governments on their borders.

But the decision would likely mean investing in new border facilities, more customs officials and extensive video surveillance of cars crossing Danish borders, which the Commission says would contravene a prohibition against “systematic” border controls.

“(The measures) appear to put into question ... the benefits that an integrated area without internal borders brings for both businesses and citizens,” Barroso said.

Border controls have attracted attention in Europe after violence in North Africa and the Middle East led hundreds of thousands to flee their homes.

More than 20,000 have already headed for Europe and politicians in countries such as France and Italy have called for limits on the free movement of people to stem migration.

EU governments decided during emergency talks on the issue on Thursday that no permanent changes would be made to how the EU controls borders between member states but agreed a need for clearer rules to govern when checks can be introduced.

Spanish Deputy Prime Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba said at a cabinet meeting: “If you ask me whether (Schengen) needs to be reformed my answer is no, and if you ask whether Europeans’ freedom should be restricted, my answer is no.”

However, diplomats say some reform is inevitable for Europe’s Schengen zone because of growing hostility towards immigrants and concerns over the fallout of turmoil in Africa.

Denmark’s integration minister, Soren Pind, said on the sidelines of Thursday’s talks in Brussels that the bloc needed a “frank” discussion about “darker sides” of the European border policy, such as the threat of human trafficking and crime spreading through the bloc.