German Chancellor Friedrich Merz defended his government's policy on temporary border controls amid growing criticism from neighboring countries, the DPA agency reported, quoted by BTA.
“At this stage, we must leave border controls in place because the protection of Europe's external borders is not sufficiently guaranteed“, Merz said in Berlin. His statement came shortly after Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced that Poland would start checks on the border with Germany starting next week in response to the German measures.
Merz stressed that he had discussed the issue with Tusk several times and the two had agreed to work together.
“We have a common problem and we want to solve it together“, he said.
The chancellor also categorically rejected claims in Polish media that asylum seekers already accepted in Germany were being sent back to Poland.
“Some claim that there is a kind of repatriation tourism from Germany to Poland. This is not true“, stressed Merz, who took office in May.
During a joint press conference with Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden, Merz said that border controls were temporary and were being implemented in a way that created “the smallest possible“ obstacles for citizens.
“We do not want to hinder people who travel to their workplaces every day“, he assured.
For his part, the Luxembourg prime minister stressed the need for closer police cooperation as an alternative to border checks.
Frieden supported the principle that illegal migration is unacceptable, but insisted that economic cooperation within the EU's internal borders should not be undermined.