Juncker says euro will end too if Schengen collapses (2)

(ANSA) - Brussels, January 15 - European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned Friday that if the Schengen agreement on the free movement of people collapses due to security concerns, the euro may end too. "No one talks about the link between Schengen and the free circulation of capital," Juncker said. "The end of Schengen would threaten to end the economic and monetary union and the problem of unemployment would become even more significant. It's necessary to look at things as a whole". He stressed that border controls are costly, saying those between Sweden and Denmark cost 300 million euros and those between Germany and Denmark cost 90 million. He also lambasted the EU member States for the frequent divisions shown, mentioning issues such as the refugee crisis, terrorism, the Ukraine conflict and relations with Russia.
    "I'm struck by the fragility of the EU and the rifts that have occurred or are already announced," he said in his start-of-year news conference.