Belgium will strengthen border checks in order to limit illegal migration, local media reported, citing statements by government officials. The measures are in line with actions already introduced in neighboring countries such as France, Germany and the Netherlands, BTA reports.
Checks are planned to be carried out on major highways, as well as on key international railway stations and bus lines. Special attention will also be paid to flights arriving from countries in the Schengen area, such as Greece and Italy.
According to Belgian authorities, although migratory pressure in other parts of the European Union is decreasing, an increasing trend is being reported in Belgium.
The aim of the new measures is to track the movement of migrants without the right to stay in the EU, refugees with status in another EU country, as well as persons who have applied for international protection in more than one country.