OSLO, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Norway said Thursday it has informed the European Commission that its internal border control will be extended for six months from Nov. 11 due to the threat situation in Europe.
"Like Germany, France, Austria and Denmark, Norway is concerned about the terrorist threat in Europe and the continued presence of many migrants with unambiguous identity in the Schengen area," Minister of Justice and Public Security Per-Willy Amundsen was quoted as saying in a statement.
"We will therefore continue to have control of persons on the inner Schengen border after 11 November," he said.
Norway is carrying out temporary internal border control until Nov. 11 at its arrival stops for the ferryboats from Germany, Denmark and Sweden in line with Article 29 of the Border Regulation due to serious and persistent deficiencies in the external border control.
The new decision on extending border control for six months from Nov. 11 is made according to Article 25 of the regulation based on the present terrorist threat, the statement said.
"We count on that passenger checks on ferry arrivals will continue as today, but control can also be extended to air or land borders if the security situation indicates that," Amundsen said.
He also expressed concern that the Schengen border regulation should be amended to better adapt to today's threat picture.
Last month Norway supported the German-French proposal for amendments to the regulation, which balances the need to maintain the principles of free movement in the Schengen area, while giving the Schengen member states a better opportunity to exercise border control in the new security situation, Amundsen said.
