Germany extends border controls for up to six months

Germany has decided to extend controls on the border with Austria for up to six months, German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere announced on Thursday.

The German police will act in a "moderate" way while carrying out border controls so that the traffic can run as smoothly as possible, de Maiziere said.

The minister stressed that "national border protection measures are needed to ensure law and order as long as the external border protection does not work effectively."

According to the minister, people who do not have a valid visa and see Germany only as a transit state will be, as always, rejected entry into the country.

Besides, border controls will also be used to combat international terrorism, de Maiziere added.

Germany took in more than 1 million refugees in 2015. The mass influx sparked a backlash in the country, which has since reintroduced temporary border controls and taken other steps to contain influx of new migrants.

As the refugee crisis persists, border controls have become the norm in parts of Europe.

The Council of the European Union, an essential decision-maker of the bloc, has agreed on Thursday to extend border controls within the Schengen area for six months.

Starting from Thursday, Austria, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway will be allowed to continue their border controls for six months, the council said in a statement. Endit