Commission spokeswoman Bertaud: There are no plans to exclude Greece from Schengen

There are no plans to either exclude Greece from Schengen or for the “suspension” of the treaty for two years, European Commission spokeswoman Natasha Bertaud said on Monday.

“No such possibility exists,” stressed Bertaud.

She clarified that the only possible course was to activate articles 19 and 26 of the treaty, which allowed the reintroduction of border controls within the Schengen area for up to two years in the case that the situation with the guarding of the external borders has not improved.

Community sources said that the European Commission’s proposals for the activation of the above two articles will be ready in two weeks, since Greece must be given three months in which to correct the “continuing shortcomings”. The maximum period for maintaining controls on internal boders, including Germany, ends in May.

Bertaud said the decision to activate the two articles will be taken to save Schengen, citing a statement by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker that “We will save Schengen by applying Schengen”.