Sweden is tightening security around its borders by introducing identity checks for commuters coming from Denmark and Germany in an attempt to reduce the number of refugees arriving in the country. Initially, travelers had free access to Sweden when travelling across the Danish border by train, bus or ferry, reported CNN.
However, now they will be required to exit the vehicle and show a valid form of ID before they allowed entry. Anyone who fails to present a valid form of identification will not be granted entry and be turned back.
The new policy caused some delays early Monday, prompting Danish officials to criticize the move, suggesting Sweden pay for the cost of the ID checks. Nonetheless, Denmark issued "balanced" border controls of its own, which it says had little choice to do following Sweden's actions.
"When other Nordic countries seal their borders it can have major consequences for Denmark," Danish PM Lars Lokke Rasmussen said, according to AFP. "It can lead to more asylum seekers."
These checks, which Rasmussen says will only be in place for 10 days before they may be extended, consist of spot checks by police on travelers crossing the border from Germany, but wouldn't have much impact on "ordinary" Danes and Germans to crossing the border, according to the Associated Press.
"We are simply reacting to a decision made in Sweden. We are introducing temporary border controls but in a balanced way. This is not a happy moment at all," he said.
Sweden and Denmark have not seen eye-to-eye with one another ever since the European migrant crisis began to unfold in 2015. An estimated 1 million migrants arrived in Europe that year, and while Denmark has received just 18,000 asylum-seekers, Sweeden has received over 160,000 marking the highest proportion per capita in the European Union.
