Denmark rebuilds borders, Commission alarmed

EurActiv reported that Denmark's centre-right government agreed on the 11 May 2011 to introduce border and customs controls at its ports and airports, as well as along its only land border with Germany and its bridge to Sweden. The European Commission asked for additional information and said it would not accept any roll-back of the Schengen treaty.

On the 13 May 2011 the European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso warned Copenhagen that its decision to reinstate customs checks at the borders was illegal under EU rules. The Danish government maintained the contrary.

• Primary Source

EurActiv, 16.5.11: Barroso warns Denmark on border checks http://www.euractiv.com/albania/barroso-warns-denmark-border-checks-news-504847

Spiegel Online International, 16.5.11: Danish Threat to Schengen Agreement Under Fire http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,762791,00.html

ESO: Background information: Brussels pushes for border controls http://www.europeansources.info/record/brussels-pushes-for-border-controls/

ESO: Background information: Rome and Paris seek border reforms http://www.europeansources.info/record/rome-and-paris-seek-border-reforms/

EUObserver, 11.5.11: Germany against 'arbitrary' re-introduction of border checks http://euobserver.com/9/32311

Politiken, 11.5.11: DPP gets three clampdowns http://politiken.dk/newsinenglish/ECE1278669/dpp-gets-three-clampdowns/

BBC News, 11.5.11: Schengen state Denmark to re-impose border controls http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13366047

Deutsche Welle, 11.5.11: Denmark buckles to right-wing border control demands http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15068183,00.html?maca=en-rss-en-top-1022-rdf

Spiegel Online International, 12.5.11: EU Slams Denmark over Plans to Reintroduce Border Checks http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,762064,00.html

EUObserver, 16.5.11: Brussels gives OK to Swedish customs checks http://euobserver.com/9/32339

Deutsche Welle, 15.6.11: Tensions remain over Denmark's border-control plans http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15156014,00.html

Politiken, 9.6.11: Govt. border defence crumbling http://politiken.dk/newsinenglish/ECE1303784/govt-border-defence-crumbling/

Jyllands-Posten, 12.5.11: Suspending Schengen sparks debate (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/650491-suspending-schengen-sparks-debate

EUObserver, 13.5.11: Barroso to Copenhagen: border checks are illegal http://euobserver.com/9/32334

BBC News, 13.5.11: Schengen migrants: EU concern at Danish border plan http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13390432

European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/11/296: Statement by Cecilia Malmström, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, on the announced permanent customs border controls in Denmark http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/296&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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