Abu dhabi: European Union Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner has called for an end to border checks between European countries within the Schengen area and urged the gradual reopening of internal borders, including those between Austria and its neighbours.

According to Emirates News Agency, Brunner said it is now the time to ease restrictions that had been in place for years, citing stronger protection of the European Union's external borders and the implementation of new asylum and migration rules that took effect in June.

The Austrian politician stated that the latest official figures showed a 37 percent reduction in irregular migration in the first six months of this year, with the decline expected to reach 55 percent within two years.