Women and children stroll at a makeshift camp for migrants and refugees at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Monday, May 2, 2016. Many thousands of migrants remain at the Greek border with Macedonia, hoping that the border crossing will reopen, allowing them to move north into central Europe. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press
BERLIN (AP) - Germany and some other EU countries are planning to ask the European Commission for an extension of border controls within the Schengen passport-free travel zone for another six months because they fear a new wave of migrants.
Interior Minister Thomas de Maizere's spokesman says a letter is being sent Monday asking for an extension of the controls on the German-Austrian border, which were implemented last year when thousands of migrants crossed into Germany daily.
De Maizere has expressed concern before that an increasing number of migrants will try to reach Europe this summer by crossing the Mediterranean Sea from lawless Libya to Italy, then travel north to Austria and Germany.
Germany registered nearly 1.1 million new arrivals last year and is keen to bring the numbers down in 2016.
Germany's defense minister, meanwhile, said it was up to Italy to protect its borders but other European countries must be ready to help if needed.
Ursula von der Leyen's comments Monday touched on the potential problems Italy could have with increased arrival of migrants looking for an alternative route into the EU now that the West Balkans route is closed and Turkey has committed to taking back those arriving illegally to Greece.
She said a solution must be found "together with Italy." Austria plans to impose border controls at its main border crossing with Italy to prevent potential attempts by migrants to enter, and with Austria bordering Germany, von der Leyen's comments indicate her country's concern that it also may have to deal with new waves of migrants seeking entry.
A man lays inside a tent set on the tracks of a train station which was turned into a makeshift camp for migrants and refugees at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Monday, May 2, 2016. Many thousands of migrants remain at the Greek border with Macedonia, hoping that the border crossing will reopen, allowing them to move north into central Europe. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press
A woman walks past tent and shelters set at a makeshift camp crowded by migrants and refugees at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Sunday, May 1, 2016. Many thousands of migrants remain at the Greek border with Macedonia, hoping that the border crossing will reopen, allowing them to move north into central Europe. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press
A child steps out a shelter at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Monday, May 2, 2016. Many thousands of migrants remain at the Greek border with Macedonia, hoping that the border crossing will reopen, allowing them to move north into central Europe. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press
Tents are set in front of a train station turned into a makeshift camp crowded by migrants and refugees at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Monday, May 2, 2016. Many thousands of migrants remain at the Greek border with Macedonia, hoping that the border crossing will reopen, allowing them to move north into central Europe. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press
The writing in Greek letters of the Idomeni train station towers over a man and a child looking outside a window at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Monday, May 2, 2016. Many thousands of migrants remain at the Greek border with Macedonia, hoping that the border crossing will reopen, allowing them to move north into central Europe. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press
Children learn how to describe the parts of the human body in English during a class inside a school tent set at a makeshift camp crowded by migrants and refugees at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Monday, May 2, 2016. Many thousands of migrants remain at the Greek border with Macedonia, hoping that the border crossing will reopen, allowing them to move north into central Europe. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press
Children learn how to describe the parts of the human body in English during a class inside a school tent set at a makeshift camp crowded by migrants and refugees at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Monday, May 2, 2016. Many thousands of migrants remain at the Greek border with Macedonia, hoping that the border crossing will reopen, allowing them to move north into central Europe. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press
Children learn how to describe the parts of the human body in English during a class inside a school tent set at a makeshift camp crowded by migrants and refugees at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Monday, May 2, 2016. Many thousands of migrants remain at the Greek border with Macedonia, hoping that the border crossing will reopen, allowing them to move north into central Europe. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press
Children learn how to describe the parts of the human body in English during a class inside a school tent set at a makeshift camp crowded by migrants and refugees at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Monday, May 2, 2016. Many thousands of migrants remain at the Greek border with Macedonia, hoping that the border crossing will reopen, allowing them to move north into central Europe. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press