Denmark defends Schengen, calls for overhaul of EU migration system

The Danish government on Wednesday defended the country's participation in the Schengen area while calling for tougher European migration rules and pushing ahead with plans to establish return centers outside the European Union (EU), reported Xinhua.

The issue dominated an urgent debate in the Danish parliament, the Folketing, following recent migration pressure at Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Denmark will retain the ability to tighten border controls if necessary, while arguing that Europe needs stronger external borders and a fundamentally different approach to irregular migration.

She said Danish authorities are closely monitoring possible migrant movements through Europe and can expand the country's existing border controls at short notice. In an extreme situation, police can check everyone entering Denmark, she said.

At the same time, the government rejected calls from the Danish People's Party to take Denmark out of the Schengen area.

Immigration and Integration Minister Morten Bodskov warned during the debate that leaving Schengen will weaken Denmark's ability to return irregular migrants under existing European arrangements.

The debate came as Copenhagen is stepping up efforts to reshape the EU's migration system.

Earlier Wednesday, Bodskov announced that ministers from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Greece will meet in Copenhagen on Sept. 4 to discuss plans for establishing return centers outside the EU. The five countries form a group that has taken the lead in advancing the proposal.