CDU faction deputy Günter Krings defended Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt’s decision to keep German border controls in place, particularly in light of recent events in Ceuta. Krings told the “Rheinische Post” that it is “good and correct” that Germany is already implementing border controls under the Schengen regime. According to him, the recent incidents make it clear that these controls must be extended and intensified if necessary.
He emphasized that individuals traveling from Spain seeking asylum in Germany must fundamentally be returned at the border, even though Spain is responsible for the asylum procedure as a secure EU member state. Krings noted that this is consistent with the logic of European treaties, which prevent individuals from arbitrarily choosing their country of asylum.
Furthermore, he argued that the key to solving these problems does not lie within the internal European borders, but at the external border of Europe. Therefore, stronger cooperation with Morocco is now required. This cooperation must include effective readmission agreements, intensive collaboration in combating smuggling crime, and reliable security for the borders of Ceuta and Melilla.
The influx of tens of thousands of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta has recently sparked high-level political discussions regarding border security.
