03/03/2021 (Agence Europe) – The German government does not intend to end controls at its internal borders with Austria or the Czech Republic, and it was the German ambassador to the EU, Michael Clauss, who told the Commission this in a letter revealed by Politico. The Commission had written to Berlin (and five other capitals) last week asking for explanations on border measures that were considered too strict. In the letter sent on Monday 1 March, the German ambassador replied that such controls are necessary when “neighbouring regions with extremely high incidence figures take less stringent protective measures”. The recommendations adopted by the Member States further provide that restrictions are possible “taking into account the specific situation of border regions”. They are non-binding “minimum standards” and it must be possible to go beyond them. (SP)