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BRUSSELS – The European Union is warning Denmark its plans for customs checks may violate EU law and the Schengen free travel agreement.

Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, telephoned Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen Friday morning, then followed up with a letter saying the commission had "grave concerns" that Denmark's plan would hinder the smooth functioning of Europe's single market.

Member countries may not institute systematic border checks. They can sometimes institute spot checks, but Barroso wrote that the country must demonstrate that the measures are necessary. Denmark says the checks are needed to fight cross-border crime and tax evasion.

Barroso said the commission "will take all necessary steps" to enforce the law.

Folks...this is why you dont want to lose your own sovereignty.  People in other nations are now telling Denmark what they can and cannot do.

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Originally Posted by Dennis Young:

People in other nations are now telling Denmark what they can and cannot do.

Like the US has been doing worldwide for years? :-P

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Booo...Miles.  I dont think thats a fair assessment.   Lol!

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or accurate. let the euro deniers enjoy their fantasy.

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Did Denmark's legislature not ratify the Treaty of Lisbon?  If they agreed to the provisions, then are they not legally bound by the terms of the contract?

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Originally Posted by Bryant Platt:
Did Denmark's legislature not ratify the Treaty of Lisbon?  If they agreed to the provisions, then are they not legally bound by the terms of the contract?

Depends on what Denmark's constitution/laws state. Many of us like to believe that just because the UN wanted to bomb Lybia, then since we hold a treaty with them then we must, by law, join in. Our own laws state what must and must not be done before military action can take place and just what the limits of that action can take. In reality, no international treaty supersedes a nation's sovereign laws.

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Originally Posted by Dennis Young:
Booo...Miles.  I dont think thats a fair assessment.   Lol!

What, you make a statement like that, and expect me not to jump on it? ;-P

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Originally Posted by Kieran Colfer:

Originally Posted by Dennis Young:
Booo...Miles.  I dont think thats a fair assessment.   Lol!

What, you make a statement like that, and expect me not to jump on it? ;-P

Being a smartass is hard work, but when done well.....it is appreciated.

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Originally Posted by Kieran Colfer:

Originally Posted by Dennis Young:
Booo...Miles.  I dont think thats a fair assessment.   Lol!

What, you make a statement like that, and expect me not to jump on it? ;-P

I dont think its a fair statement though.  Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission said the commission "will take all necessary steps" to enforce the law.   In other words, Barroso seems to be trying to threaten another European country with the law.

When have we ever said that a european nation (especially a democratically elected one) doesnt have the right to protect its own sovereignty...or enforce their own borders?  If I'm not mistaken we have actually stood by nations who tried to protect their own borders.

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Originally Posted by Mark Simmons:


Being a smartass is hard work, but when done well.....it is appreciated.

I'll take that as a compliment so shall I?  

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Originally Posted by Dennis Young:

I dont think its a fair statement though.  Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission said the commission "will take all necessary steps" to enforce the law.   In other words, Barroso seems to be trying to threaten another European country with the law.

Free borders within Europe was brought in with the Schengen Agreement in 1985, and was then brought into European law in 1997 with the Amsterdam Treaty. So, he's not "threatening them with the law", this is the law.  If you sign a treaty, you have to abide by it's clauses, no?  

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dennis, you're making the wrong comparison. this is more like the federal government trying to derail arizona's immigration law, than anything else.

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Originally Posted by Dødherre Mørktre:
dennis, you're making the wrong comparison. this is more like the federal government trying to derail arizona's immigration law, than anything else.

Yeah, pretty much, except is more like arizona trying to stop/ID people coming into the state from the rest of the US as well as mexico.

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Originally Posted by Kieran Colfer:

Originally Posted by Mark Simmons:


Being a smartass is hard work, but when done well.....it is appreciated.

I'll take that as a compliment so shall I?  

I know, I know.....I don't seem to give compliments often, but your smartassity has caused me to chuckle more than once.

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Originally Posted by Kieran Colfer:

Originally Posted by Dennis Young:

I dont think its a fair statement though.  Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission said the commission "will take all necessary steps" to enforce the law.   In other words, Barroso seems to be trying to threaten another European country with the law.

Free borders within Europe was brought in with the Schengen Agreement in 1985, and was then brought into European law in 1997 with the Amsterdam Treaty. So, he's not "threatening them with the law", this is the law.  If you sign a treaty, you have to abide by it's clauses, no?  

It does depend on whether terms of that treaty conflict with the sovereign laws of a country or not. In areas of conflict the laws of the individual nation usually take precedence.