European Countries Implement Stricter Border Controls

Several European countries, including Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland, Sweden, France, Slovakia, and Slovenia, have tightened their borders by reintroducing temporary controls due to an increase in legal and illegal arrivals of migrants. These measures are being taken in response to various security threats, including pressure on asylum reception systems, arms trafficking, criminal networks linked to the war in Ukraine, people smuggling, terrorism, organized crime, and threats from foreign intelligence services. Some countries have extended these border controls until 2024, while others have set shorter timeframes. Finland has temporarily closed most of its passenger crossings to Russia due to a surge in migrant arrivals.