German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday called for an extension of EU border controls in the passport-free Schengen area beyond a planned end in November. Asked about the European Commission's plan announced in May not to continue the controls beyond November, Merkel said she would call for their extension during talks with its chief Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday. "Given what the situation is at the moment, I believe we need these border controls," she told reporters. The Schengen area comprises 22 EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. But a rising wave of migrants crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa has created a fresh sense of urgency.

Source: The Local August 29, 2017 11:37 UTC