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Schengen: Europe's passport-free travel zone 'on brink of collapse'

The system that allows passport-free movement across Europe is feared to be on the brink of collapse as nations tighten their border controls because of the refugee crisis.

European Council president Donald Tusk has admitted it is a "race against time" to save the Schengen travel zone, which has operated for 30 years.

The council president spoke before another informal summit in Valetta dedicated to the issue of Schengen and urged: "We must hurry, but without panic."

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Merkel: Germany wants to help Britain find a solution

Germany wants to help Britain with its proposals to reform the European Union and is confident a solution can be found, Angela Merkel has said.

Angela Merkel speaking after David Cameron's speech. Credit: Reuters

The German chancellor confirmed she had spoken to David Cameron about his proposals by phone on Monday.

"I know of the demands, so what is on the table now is no surprise," she said at a press conference alongside South African President Jacob Zuma.

"We want to take a solution-orientated approach to dealing with these proposals."

"There are some difficult points, and some less difficult points.

"But if one has a spirit of wanting to solve this then I have a certain confidence that this can work out."

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Schengen: Europe's passport-free travel zone 'on brink of collapse'

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