Spain to restore border checks for ECB meeting

[April 20, 2012]  MADRID (AP) -- Spain will restore border checks and suspend the treaty that makes the EU frontier-free for travelers as it hosts a European Central Bank meeting next month.

An Interior Ministry official said Friday the so-called Schengen Treaty will be suspended right before and during the May 3 meeting in Barcelona. The bank's governing council meets outside its Frankfurt headquarters periodically.

Spain is suspending the accord because it believes large numbers of protesters will come to Barcelona, in particular people from Italy and Greece, which are reeling under austerity measures.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with ministry policy.

Barcelona saw riots during a March 29 general strike. A beefed-up police presence is planned for the ECB meeting.

[Associated Press; By DANIEL WOOLLS]

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.