Worries for future of EU's Schengen areaas Poland reinstates border checks

FRANCE 24 English

Visit our website: http://www.france24.com  Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FRANCE24.English  Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/France24_en

Transcript

00:00It's a scene that makes the European Union's Schengen area seem increasingly fragile.

00:07The aim of these checks is to prevent undocumented migrants from entering Poland.

00:13The decision was made to fight illegal migration.

00:18We are not in any way targeting Polish citizens nor citizens of other countries of the European Union

00:24who travel across our borders.

00:27A first arrest was made overnight as officers stopped an Estonian driver

00:33who was accused of transporting four undocumented migrants.

00:37The checks also act as a response to Germany's border controls,

00:41which were reinstated two years ago on the border shared with Poland.

00:46Warsaw says Berlin is turning away migrants seeking asylum in Germany, something that Berlin denies.

00:54For some of those living close to the border, the news of these latest measures,

00:58which will last for an initial 30 days, is worrying.

01:02In particular for small business owners in Poland, where many Germans drive to to stock up on food,

01:09tobacco or even go for a haircut, as prices are significantly lower.

01:16About 80% of our customers are German.

01:22So I'm afraid that these checks at the border will discourage them from coming.

01:28They're afraid, not so much of the checks, but of the traffic jams at the border.

01:35The Polish government has promised to lift the new measures should Germany agree to do.

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended