BRUSSELS (AP) - Divisions among European Union nations on how to deal with illegal immigrants and crime deepened Thursday, with some members deriding plans by others to reinstate internal border controls.
At a special meeting of EU interior ministers, Denmark was singled out for criticism for saying it would install permanent stations along its frontiers to curb crime and illegal immigration.
France and Italy raised the possibility of reintroducing border controls to stem the flow of illegal immigrants from northern Africa, to the anger of many in Europe.
Germany led demands that it should not be made easier for member states to turn their back on the Schengen Agreement, which allows unfettered travel across national borders - a cornerstone of EU policy.
"Currently, the majority view is that one country should not be in a position to make a decision like that" and easily reintroduce border checks, said Hungarian Minister Sandor Pinter, who presided the meeting. "That might trigger a chain reaction that might shatter confidence in other countries. So we do not want to let it happen."
Others countries, however, claim unrestricted travel has led to an increase in illegal immigration and crime, since migrants and criminals can move freely, without visas or border checks, through all 25 nations of the Schengen zone.
The interior ministers are aiming to set up proposals for a June 24 EU summit of government leaders.