AM-19-1 to R06: FORTRESS EUROPE? NO, THANKS! BUILDING BRIDGES, BREAKING DOWN WALLS, EXPLORING BORDERS (Alexander Langer)

In this respect, Commissioner Johansson stated that: “Member States have the right and responsibility to protect their borders. And they are in the best position to decide how to do this, as long as they comply with Union rules. If a Member State believes that a fence needs to be built, it can do and I have nothing to object to.” Furthermore, she added: “Using Union funds to finance fences instead of financing other very important activities is a different matter, but here we talk about how to spend the limited resources. But Member States have the possibility and the right to build these fences and they are at the best position to decide whether this is necessary or not.” She reiterated: “I agree that we need to strengthen the protection of our external borders. I must say that some Member States have built protection structures and I can understand it. If EU funds must be used to do this, I must say no.”