Denmark fences itself off from the EU, raising disintegration fears

Editor | July 5, 2011 | 0 Comments

Denmark is to put the barriers back up on its borders with Germany and Sweden. The move is not going down well with EU colleagues who say it violates Europe’s much-heralded open border agreement.

From Tuesday, 50 Danish customs officers will be stationed at the country’s borders to perform spot checks on vehicles. The move is part of a plan approved by parliament last Friday, which also see permanent buildings installed on the borders.

The Danish government insists that the re-establishment of border checkpoints is meant to prevent drug flow and illegal migrants from entering the country. The move is regarded as a bad sign by left-wing politicians and the opposition in Denmark itself, where many are seeing it as a concession to nationalists which may damage the country’s economy.

It has also been strongly opposed by EU officials in Brussels, and especially by Denmark’s neighbor Germany. They insist that this is a violation of the Schengen Agreement on open borders in Europe.

Tags: border checkpoints, Brussels, danish government, illegal migrants, nationalists, schengen agreement