Austrian minister argues for stronger border controls within EU

Austria's interior minister, Gerhard Karner, on Friday called for a stronger border policy for Europe.

The minister said that security demands needed to be balanced with freedom of movement as the EU debated its refugee policy.

Ministers of the interior from around the EU have come to Luxembourg to debate a range of issues, including a new solidarity mechanism to ease the migrant burden on Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Malta and Spain.

The mechanism would see other EU countries taking in refugees arriving in southern Europe by boat.

Karner emphasised the need for strong outer borders and also called for the possibility of border controls taking place between EU countries in future.

"Freedom of movement is important, yes.

It is an essential part of the European Union.

"But we also have to ensure security, and this is of such importance, that border controls within the EU can be necessary in some situations."

Countries including Germany, France, and Austria had undertaken temporary border controls for years, against illegal immigration or terrorism concerns.

The European Court of Justice decided in April that members were only allowed to prolong such controls in the event of a new and serious threat to public order or internal security.