Austria re-introduces border controls with Italy

Austria has re-introduced border controls with Italy, only a month after removing them as part of an agreement on open borders involving nine European countries.

The Austrian interior ministry authorised the measure because of concern that more than eight-hundred Kurdish refugees who landed illegally in Italy last week might cross into Austria.

A BBC European affairs analyst says the decision has again highlighted Italy's problems with illegal immigration.

At present, illegal immigrants have fifteen days in which to appeal against expulsion but in practice, many disappear during this time, travelling on to other European destinations.

Italy's partners in the European Union have put it under pressure to tighten controls on its borders as required by the Schengen agreement.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service