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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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'Others also keen to tackle abuse of free movement'

European countries other than Britain are also keen to tackle the "abuse" of freedom of movement rules, Theresa May said.

Theresa May has spoken about Britain's EU reform efforts. Credit: PA Wire

Taking more control of migration was a central theme of David Cameron's EU reform demands that were published earlier today.

Reacting to the speech, the home secretary told an event in London: "Free movement has been and remains part of that concept of European union.

"But what I have found, discussing with interior ministers from other countries, is that there is a growing concern about the abuse of free movement that has been taking place and ways in which it is possible for people to come and gain rights within the European Union.

"So we will be looking at those issues, looking, yes, at the benefits. The concept that people shouldn't be using that free movement in order to come and claim benefits is one that both I and the Prime Minister, and others, have spoken about before."

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

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