(ANSAmed) - Brussels, April 28 - The European Commission said Thursday that it was worried by Austria's plans to introduce controls at its border with Italy at the Brenner Pass.
"The European Commission follows all the developments in Europe that go against the schedule to return (to the normal functioning of the Schengen agreement), in this case with serious concern," said EC spokesperson Mina Andreeva, adding that EC President Jean-Claude Juncker will meet Italian Premier Matteo Renzi in Rome next Thursday.
"The Commission will evaluate any measures decided or announced by the Austrian government on the criteria of need and proportionality". Renzi said Thursday that Austria's idea of introducing controls at the Brenner Pass to stop it being overwhelmed by asylum seekers, possibly with the help of a fence, is "flagrantly against European rules.
Pope Francis on Wednesday stressed to Bolzano-Bressanone Archbishop Ivo Muser the importance of helping fleeing refugees in northern Italy near the Brenner Pass, sources said Thursday. he also spoke of the planned closure of the Brenner Pass by Austria. The pope met the archbishop at the end of the weekly general audience.
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