BERLIN 

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday defended his government's policy of implementing border checks, emphasizing that these measures will remain in place only until an EU-wide solution on migration is reached.

During a visit to Bavaria, Germany's southeastern state, Merz told reporters that the border controls are not intended to undermine the EU's border-free Schengen Area or hinder cooperation among member states.

"I am very much hoping for and counting on a European solution. Until then, border controls will unfortunately remain necessary," Merz said. "But they will only exist to the extent that they are truly necessary. We don't want to question Schengen; we want to preserve the free movement of goods and people in Europe."

The conservative leader emphasized that Germany deeply values the EU's single market and the Schengen Area, and has no intention of undermining these core European principles.

During their February election campaign, Chancellor Merz's conservative Christian Democrats promised strict measures to curb irregular migration. After forming a coalition government in May, they implemented more comprehensive border controls with neighboring countries, despite these nations being EU members.

Germany's border controls with Poland created tensions between Berlin and Warsaw, with the Polish government responding by implementing reciprocal temporary border controls this month. Leading Polish politicians have accused Germany of pushing migrants out of their territory and into Poland.

All of Germany’s neighbors are part of Europe’s border-free Schengen area. Schengen states are permitted to introduce temporary border controls only in exceptional situations such as during major international events or when facing a serious threat to public order.