(VOVworld) - Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos announced Wednesday that the European Commission has decided a 6-month extension of border controls in the Schengen area for six member countries.

Police mounts a temporary fence to ease border controls preventing illegal migrants (Photo: EPA)

Avramopoulos said Germany, Austria, France, Belgium, Denmark, and Switzerland backed the decision and the EC adopted it but with the aim to restore free movement in the Schengen zone.

Schengen states began to tighten border controls last autumn due to the growing volume of migrants. The controls have continued past their original deadline. Schengen countries reintroduced border controls, lifted more than decade ago, to curb the record number of migrants and refugees coming to Europe.

Article 29 of the Schengen agreement allows its members to reintroduce internal border controls for a maximum of two years if there is a threat to the Schengen borders.

The European Commission announced Wednesday that beginning the end of June Turkish citizens will enjoy short-term visa-free travel in Schengen countries. Frans Timmermans, Vice-president of the EC, said Turkey must fulfill five criteria before Turkish citizens can travel without visa to Schengen area.