BERLIN

Germany to introduce temporary border controls during the European Football Championship this summer, the country’s interior minister said on Tuesday.

"We will carry out temporary border controls at all German borders during the tournament in order to prevent possible perpetrators of violence from entering the country,” Nancy Faeser told the Rheinische Post daily.

She said authorities will particularly focus on countering threats posed by terror groups, extremists, hooligans and criminal groups by taking additional security measures.

“We are keeping a particular eye on these current threats,” Faeser said.

All of Germany’s neighbors - Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Poland, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands - are part of Europe’s border-free Schengen area.

The Schengen states are allowed to reintroduce temporary border controls in exceptional situations during major international events, or in case of a serious threat to public order.

This summer's European football championship, known as the UEFA EURO 2024, will be hosted by Germany between June 14 and July 14. Millions of foreign visitors are expected to travel to the country for the tournament.