EU ministers mull extended border controls to curb migration

Brussels (dpa) - EU member states were considering Friday whether to allow border controls within Europe‘s passport-free Schengen zone for up to two years, in response to the migration crisis and Greece‘s difficulties in controlling its external frontiers.The European Union is contending with its largest population movements since World War II. More than 950,000 people have reached the continent this year, many fleeing war-torn Syria.Most make their way from Turkey to Greece‘s Aegean islands before continuing through the western Balkans to reach wealthy northern European countries such as Germany and Sweden, straining resources and overwhelming authorities en route.Germany, Austria and Sweden have all reintroduced border controls to cope with the flows of people reaching their countries. So far, they have only used Schengen provisions that would allow controls for up to six months.Member states are now considering an option to impose border checks for up to two years, diplomats said. The Schengen border code allows for the measure if "serious deficiencies in the carrying out of external border control are identified."No decision is expected on Friday.Athens has long come under fire for dragging its feet over the implementation of measures to secure its borders and register all arrivals, allowing people to pass through the country unchecked."I am fighting for a European solution, but time is running out for European solutions," warned German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere, adding that the implementation of previously agreed measures is "very dissatisfactory."He pointed to lags in the establishment of hotspots where migrants and asylum seekers are supposed to be registered and fingerprinted."Today it‘s time for delivery, both on migration and security," added EU Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, ahead of the talks in Brussels. "We are running out of time, time is not our ally anymore," he warned.Last month‘s terrorist attacks in Paris drove home the need to better control those entering the EU. At least one other perpetrator is believed to have reached France after registering as an asylum seeker in Greece.Member states have previously agreed to several measures aimed at bolstering EU border agency Frontex and to help transit countries cope with the many arrivals, but implementation has been slow.The ministers are also due to discuss plans for a permanent EU border and coast guard, and a controversial permanent mechanism to relocate asylum seekers within the EU. As a one-off, 160,000 people are to be redistributed from Greece and Italy, but the plan has been slow to take off.The European Commission is expected to present proposals on both issues on December 15.