Denmark-Germany rail links suspended

European unity cracking: EU President

European Commission’s new president Jean-Claude Juncker expressed that the unity that European nations showed since the decimation of World War II is now beyond stretching point.

While delivering his first “State of the Union” speech to the European parliament, Juncker admitted that the recent impasse over the migrant issue had exposed the cracks in the joints of the 28-nation bloc.

Speaking “frankly” at a “time for honesty”, Juncker admitted “the European Union is not in a good state as there is not enough Europe in this Union and there is not enough Union in this Union”.

Reminding Europeans that “Europe is a continent where nearly everyone has at one time been a refugee” – their common history marked by millions of Europeans fleeing from religious or political persecution, from war, dictatorship or oppression, Juncker announced plans under which 120,000 additional asylum seekers will be distributed among EU nations, with binding quotas.

The decision however will be taken at the Extraordinary Council of Interior Ministers on September 14.  The Nobel committee had given the European Union the peace prize in 2012 for its unified struggle in bringing about peace, reconciliation and upholding human rights.

Denmark has suspended all rail links with Germany after police stopped hundreds of migrants at the border.

Danish police also closed a motorway between the two countries when some asylum seekers began walking north after being forced off a train.

As the EU struggles with a major migrant crisis, the European Commission has proposed that 120,000 additional asylum seekers should be shared out between members, using binding quotas.

Denmark’s DSB rail operator said trains to and from Germany had been suspended for an indefinite period because of exceptional passport checks. Two trains carrying more than 200 migrants are being held in Rodby, a major port with ferry links to Germany. Danish police say many migrants are refusing to leave the trains because they do not want to be registered in Denmark.

Police also closed part of the E45 motorway – the main road link between Germany and Denmark – after about 300 migrants left another train and set off on foot towards Sweden near the border town of Padborg. Sweden has become a top destination for refugees after it promised to issue residency papers to all Syrian asylum seekers.

Denmark’s new centre-right government has promised to get tough on immigration. Since its election in June it has slashed benefits for new arrivals and restricted the right to residency.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announced plans for a “swift, determined and comprehensive” response through a quota system.