Video: https://youtu.be/_AqN89JX7uM
Dear all,
The time has come to take the last concrete steps to gradually return to a normal functioning of the Schengen Area. This is our goal, and it remains unchanged. A fully functioning Schengen area, free from internal border controls.
I stand by what I said many times before: Schengen is one of the greatest achievements of the European project and the most tangible example of European integration. We must do everything to safeguard, defend and protect it.
But the only way to do this is in a joint, European and coordinated way.
Despite continuous progress over the past few months:
– the number of migrants present in Greece may be still of concern,
– the situation along the Western Balkans Route remains fragile with a risk of irregular movements,
– the operationalization of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency requires a few more efforts,
– relocations and returns from Greece and other Member States must be significantly stepped up.
– and Dublin rules need to gradually fully apply.
What we propose today is to gradually phase out temporary internal border controls whilst at the same time strengthening the use of proportionate police checks across the territory of the Member States, and especially close to the internal border areas.
This will be the last prolongation.
These temporary border controls – and this goes for ALL internal border controls – should be exceptional, proportionate, and as a last resort, for a strict and limited period. In this case: for a last time, of maximum 6 months.
Our aim is to ensure a coordinated and gradual transition phase.
The alternative could have been uncoordinated and unilateral decisions to introduce temporary controls. And this is not in the European spirit of solidarity and cooperation.
This is why today we recommend that ALL Member States and Schengen States make use of the existing police powers more efficiently and give priority to proportionate police checks instead of border controls, but with the same objective of ensuring security in the Schengen territory.
For example, Member States should intensify police checks on motorways or other important transport routes and also make use of modern technologies to monitor the traffic flow such as license plate recognition.
Our recommendation also promotes more cross-border police cooperation like joint police patrols in border areas and on international trains as well joint threat analysis and cross-border information exchange between Member States.
We are aware this will take some time to implement, but we call on Member States to do it as quickly as possible and no later than within six months.
At the same time, we have to intensify our efforts to protect our external borders.
The operationalization of the European Border and Coast Guard has continuously progressed since March, and the Agency is currently supporting Member States with an average of 1500 border guards at different sections of the EU external border, complementing the existing national capacities of Member States.
However, despite important deployments and contributions by Member States, there are still gaps, both in terms of human resources and technical equipment. Fully operationalising the European Border and Coast Guard requires continuous and long-lasting efforts and a comprehensive approach.
I therefore call upon Member States to increase their contributions both to the pools and to the ongoing operations and meet their obligations. This is in the interest of everyone.
Finally, I want to say a few words about progress as regards visa reciprocity with Canada and the United States
As of yesterday, a considerable number of Bulgarian and Romanian citizens can travel visa-free to Canada since this Monday, May 1st. This is excellent news, which comes as a direct result of our sustained diplomatic efforts so far with Canada.
It also strongly suggests that this is the way forward for the other pending case of non-reciprocity – the United States.
With the US, we have been working hard in the past months with the five affected Member States and our US counterparts to launch a more result-oriented process, which would bring those Member States closer to meet all US Visa Waiver Program requirements.
Our strategy is the same as with Canada.
The EU will always choose engagement, commitment and patient diplomacy over any form of unilateral retaliation– because this is in the mutual interest of both EU citizens, as well as the citizens of the US in this case.
Thank you.