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Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) has mentioned the conditions under which a gradual opening of borders to neighboring countries could be possible. Changes in border controls should always be made in cooperation with neighbors, Merkel said in a virtual meeting of the Union faction in the Bundestag after the SPIEGEL information.
It is also important that action is not taken against the wishes of state prime ministers, but in close cooperation with them. Furthermore, the number of infections would have to indicate the appropriate steps. So you have a clear perspective to restore the Schenens system to the open internal borders in the EU, said Merkel.
It is important to her that the checks do not continue “until the end of the day,” Merkel said. In many places, however, it will be a two-stage process. The issue will be discussed in the cabinet this Wednesday. Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) wants to comment on the matter before Friday.
Steps towards normalization at the Franco-German border
French President Emmanuel Macron said in a phone call Monday that his country wanted to continue border controls until mid-June. At the Franco-German border, steps towards normalization must be taken, with the aim of returning to the old Schengen system of internal borders opened in July, if the infection situation is there.
France will not relinquish border controls in any of its neighboring countries on May 15. But there are a variety of aid options, Merkel said. The same applies to Austria and Switzerland, said the chancellor.
There have never been border controls with the Netherlands and Belgium, and this will continue to be the case. Poland and the Czech Republic had introduced border controls on their own initiative. Denmark and Luxembourg will probably go a step further in consultation with the Prime Ministers and the Danish government. Merkel was not more specific here.
