Germany wants to extend border controls for another 6 months

BERLIN — Germany and some other EU countries are planning to ask the European Commission for an extension of border controls within the Schengen passport-free travel zone for another six months because they fear a new wave of migrants.

Interior Minister Thomas de Maizere's spokesman says a letter is being sent yesterday asking for an extension of the controls on the German-Austrian border, which were implemented last year when thousands of migrants crossed into Germany daily.

De Maizere has expressed concern before that an increasing number of migrants will try to reach Europe this summer by crossing the Mediterranean Sea from lawless Libya to Italy, then travel north to Austria and Germany.

Germany registered nearly 1.1 million new arrivals last year and is keen to bring the numbers down in 2016.

Germany's defense minister, meanwhile, said it was up to Italy to protect its borders but other European countries must be ready to help if needed.

Ursula von der Leyen's comments yesterday touched on the potential problems Italy could have with increased arrival of migrants looking for an alternative route into the EU now that the West Balkans route is closed and Turkey has committed to taking back those arriving illegally to Greece.

She said a solution must be found "together with Italy." Austria plans to impose border controls at its main border crossing with Italy to prevent potential attempts by migrants to enter, and with Austria bordering Germany, von der Leyen's comments indicate her country's concern that it also may have to deal with new waves of migrants seeking entry.