German interior minister advocates for continued border controls

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has expressed strong support for maintaining border controls in Germany, underscoring that these measures are necessary until robust external border security within the European Union is fully operational.

"We will keep border controls until external border security [of the European Union] really kicks in," Faeser stated during a meeting of EU interior ministers in Warsaw, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

Despite her stance on border security, she acknowledged the importance of eventually restoring open Schengen borders, emphasizing the value of free movement within the EU. "Some people go to the doctor in France, most people work in Germany. That in itself is a value of the European Union," she noted.

Faeser’s comments came in response to proposals by Friedrich Merz, the leader of Christian Democratic Union (CDU/CSU), German chancellor candidate, to tighten Germany’s migration policies. Faeser reassured her European counterparts that Germany remains committed to acting under the EU law and the spirit of European unity. "Europe can rely on this FRG government," she affirmed. "I want to make this clear, because of course the discussions in Germany these days are irritating our European neighbors."

Since September 16, 2024, Germany has implemented temporary border controls at all land borders, citing the need to reduce illegal migration and protect domestic security from threats such as Islamist terrorism and cross-border crime. However, some neighboring countries, particularly Poland, have criticized the move, viewing it as an unfriendly act.

The debate on border control measures continues to be a point of tension within the EU, as countries balance national security concerns with the principle of free movement that lies at the heart of the Schengen Area.

By Vafa Guliyeva