Has Germany cancelled the Schengen visa? Why have border controls begun?

12PUNTO FOREIGN NEWS

German authorities have announced that controls will be implemented at all of the country's land borders for a period of '6 months'. However, reports that Germany will no longer issue Schengen visas do not reflect the truth. At the same time, claims that Germany will withdraw from the Schengen visa-free zone have no basis.

Controls are being introduced in Germany to 'protect national security' and 'prevent irregular migration'.

Reports that Germany has 'effectively' suspended the Schengen visa are based on the fact that the newly published regulation includes a clause stating that even individuals with visas may be 'denied entry' at the border if deemed necessary.

According to statements from German authorities, the purpose of the implementation is to ensure the safety of its citizens by introducing border controls, as well as to prevent foreigners attempting to enter the country without a valid visa and to curb irregular migration in general.

According to a report by Schengen.News, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced that controls at all borders will begin on September 16 and will be implemented for an initial period of six months.

In her statement on the matter, Minister Faeser said that 'controls have become particularly important during this period when high numbers of threats from Islamist terrorist groups are being recorded' in the country.

Faeser stated the following:

'We are doing everything in our power to protect the people in our country against this (terrorism and irregular migration). We are strengthening our internal security with concrete actions and maintaining our tough stance against irregular migration.'

Stating that the border controls have not yet come into effect, Minister Faeser said that the country has notified the EU Commission of this decision.

When the new implementation comes into effect, identity checks will be carried out at land borders with Austria, Belgium, Czechia, France, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, and Switzerland. Germany shares a border of over 3,700 km with these nine countries.

Germany had already been conducting identity checks at its borders with Austria, Czechia, Poland, and Switzerland for some time.

The border measures were planned to remain in effect until mid-December for all countries except Austria. However, with Germany's decision to introduce a new measure, the controls will continue until mid-March.

While Germany deems this measure necessary, some neighboring countries are not very pleased with this decision.

Officials from the Czech Republic and Austria have reacted to the decision.

News Source: 12punto