The European Commission on Friday presented a proposal to strengthen its role in deciding wether to reestablish border controls checks in emergency situations.
Speaking in a press conference, Home Affairs commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom, stated that the only way to ensure freedom of movement across EU states is by adopting a more european approach to border controls and avoiding unilateral measures.
However, the proposal has already caused controversy in some of the biggest member states. In a joint statement, France Italy and Spain already opposed the idea of giving the Commission more control over what they think should remain a national concern.
The proposal comes after France temporarily closed its borders to avoid the arrival of thousands of Tunisians through Italy, which triggered a debate on how and when should border controls be reintroduced.
