Netherlands defends border control project

By Andrew Rettman

BRUSSELS – The Dutch interior ministry has said new cameras for screening people who enter the country by car will not violate EU laws on free movement or privacy.

In what looks like a fresh attack on the Schengen passport-free travel agreement, the pilot scheme – entitled „@migo-Boras“ – is to see €19 million worth of cameras installed on 15 major highways from Belgium and Germany and in some police cars between February and April.

If they spot a number plate which is red-flagged in the police database, officers will intercept the vehicle in a bid to stop illegal immigrants and criminals.

The cameras will operate in a zone up to 20km from the border and will initially look at small samples of cars and trucks for a maximum of six hours a day or 90 hours a month. (more on euobserver.com)