LOC15:00
12:00 GMT
BRUSSELS, July 18 (KUNA) -- EU experts who visited Denmark last week to
check the implementation of measures aimed at reinforcing internal controls at
the Danish borders reported Monday that they were unable to get sufficient
justifications from the Danish side.
A statement by the European Commission said the risk assessment required to
justify the controls "was not sufficient and there were no clear instructions
to border control officers on how to carry out controls. "
EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmstrom, expressed her worries
about the situation.
"Unfortunately, the mission did not enable us to get adequate answers to
our questions," she said in a statement.
Malmstrom noted that there are persistent concerns about the compatibility
of Denmark's strengthened internal control measures with the freedoms provided
under the EU Treaty including the Schengen treaty that allows for freedom of
movement among 25 European states.
She stressed that it is incumbent on Denmark to demonstrate factually that
the gravity of the situation justifies putting in place controls which might
affect the exercise of free movement of goods, services and persons at the
internal borders with Germany and Sweden.
"The Commission will not hesitate to use all tools at its disposal to
guarantee free movement of goods, services and persons and the full respect of
EU legislation," she stressed.
Denmark introduced the border controls in May claiming that it is aimed at
controlling a sharp rise in crimes allegedly committed by immigrants in the
country. (end)
nk.mt
KUNA 181500 Jul 11NNNN