BRUSSELS (Sputnik) — Leaders of the EU member states have approved the European Commission's plan to resolve the migration crisis in order to achieve cancellation of unilaterally imposed border controls within the Schengen area before the end of the year, according to a joint statement of the EU heads of state or government published Tuesday.
"Take forward, as a matter of priority, all the elements of the Commission roadmap on getting "back to Schengen", so as to end temporary internal border controls and re-establish the normal functioning of the Schengen area before the end of the year," the statement read.
The plan also envisages that Greece should eliminate the lack of control on Schengen external borders, while Schengen member states should stop letting migrants crossing through their territories to other states.
Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Austria, Slovenia, Switzerland and Norway have introduced border controls amid the influx of refugees to Europe.
