Germany tightens border controls

Germany has temporarily reinstated controls on its western and northern borders as part of a fight against illegal migration and cross-border crime, the country's interior ministry said.

The restrictions are part of measures Germany has taken to toughen its stance on illegal migration following a sharp increase in arrivals, including people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East, and a rise in the popularity of the far-right and conservatives, Reuters reports.

The checks will be carried out at Germany's land borders with France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Denmark for six months, marking another an obstacle to free movement within the EU.

They are already in place at the borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland.

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The Federal Police will exercise flexibility in carrying out controls based on the current situation and in an effort to minimise disruption to passengers, travellers and trade, the Interior Ministry said.

On Monday, traffic at the borders was free.

The ministry recommended that travellers carry a valid identity document. Non-EU citizens must carry entry documents, including visas.

The changes come as asylum applications in Germany fell by 21.7% in the first eight months of the year.

Interior Minister Nancy Feser said the decline was due in part to control measures introduced last year, which prevented more than 30,000 illegal entry attempts.

Berlin's actions have drawn criticism from Germany's neighbours. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for urgent consultations with other affected countries, which fear an increase in asylum seekers and a negative impact on trade.

Prepared by: Sergey Daga