Wednesday, May 4, 2011

EU reassessing open-border continent

BRUSSELS – The European Union's executive has proposed allowing the reintroduction of national border controls in exceptional circumstances even though the development of a "borderless" continent had long been hailed as a prime EU achievement.

The EU Commission made proposals Wednesday after France and Italy insisted on action to revamp the so-called Schengen system that allows for unfettered travel across many European borders for citizens, but also for illegal immigrants.

Faced with an influx of thousands of North Africans entering Italy illegally and then moving further into Europe, EU Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem said that "it may also be necessary to foresee the temporary re-introduction of limited internal border controls."

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