Germany to keep border controls as long as necessary

Record ID: 163609

  • Title: Germany to keep border controls as long as necessary
  • Date: 9th January 2017
  • Summary: COLOGNE, GERMANY (JANUARY 9, 2017) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN INTERIOR MINISTER THOMAS DE MAIZIERE, SAYING: "The idea of electronic ankle devices is a good one. It reflects one of the list of measures I recommended in summer. I am pleased that the justice minister has taken up my suggestion. It is necessary to differentiate between ankle devices for convicted criminals and for those that are a threat and if there is a good legal way for the government to regulate this then I am in full support." SIGN SHOWING TRADE UNION LOGO (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN INTERIOR MINISTER THOMAS DE MAIZIERE, SAYING: "It is right and necessary that those that are required to leave the country should also be extradited to Tunisia. That is the agreement we have with the Tunisian government. Certain things could happen faster but the Tunisian government has accepted their responsibilities. It is the responsibility of each state to take back its own citizens whether they like them or not." PEOPLE TALKING DURING TRADE UNION CONFERENCE
  • Embargoed: 24th January 2017 12:41
  • Keywords: De Maiziere electronic tagging border controls asylum refugees
  • Location: COLOGNE + BAD VILBEL, GERMANY
  • City: COLOGNE + BAD VILBEL, GERMANY
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,International/National Security
  • Reuters ID: LVA0035YCZN7R
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Germany's Interior Minster Thomas de Maiziere on Monday (January 9) said domestic border controls would remain in place as long as there was a perceived threat to regional security.
    Despite the effective closing of the West Balkan route to refugees de Maiziere said there were still serious concerns about the external borders of the European Union.
    "The current border controls do not mean the end of Schengen. I want to return to an open Europe and a border-free Schengen. The one condition for this, however, is that we reach a unified asylum and migration policy Europe-wide and thereby achieve a better protection of our outer borders. As long as this is not working reliably we will combat illegal immigration into Germany with border controls where they are necessary," De Maiziere said during an annual meeting of German labour unions.
    As politicians return to the stage after the holidays and at the start of a national election year, security is high on the agenda.
    Germany's justice ministry is considering the use of electronic tags for people that are considered a threat but have not yet been convicted.
    "The idea of electronic ankle devices is a good one. It reflects one of the list of measures I recommended in summer. I am pleased that the justice minister has taken up my suggestion. It is necessary to differentiate between ankle devices for convicted criminals and for those that are a threat and if there is a good legal way for the government to regulate this then I am in full support," de Maiziere said, answering reporters' questions.
    Electronic tagging is one of a raft of security measures under consideration as Germany grapples with heightened terror threats.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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