Opening Remarks
Honourable Members,
I don’t need to repeat how important economically, politically and, in particular, symbolically Schengen is.
Therefore, let me start by thanking you for your report and this timely debate:
it comes at a moment where we are reflecting a lot on the future of our common external borders management but also on how to enhance our internal security and free movement in the Schengen area.
The thing is: we need to be realistic and pragmatic, but without ever forsaking our values and fundamental principles.
This is why one of our concerns is how to better use the existing tools at our disposal, to fully implement the legislative measures we have recently adopted and to conclude pending legislation.
But we also look to the future: how do we see the future as regards borders management, but also as regards the free movement of European Citizens in an area without border controls?
My answer to this is clear and simple: we need to take joint responsibility for the management of our common external borders but also ensure mutual trust among Member States – and everything that is implied by this.
During the last 3 years, Schengen has been confronted with the most important challenges since its conception.
Several Member States have introduced temporary internal border controls to address the irregular migration flows and secondary movements, and also in reaction to the multiple terrorist attacks.
But temporary internal border controls cannot and should not become permanent ones!
Therefore, it is so important to preserve the right balance between ensuring mobility, on the one hand, whilst guaranteeing security, on the other hand.
It is important to use but also to improve all the tools we have at our disposal to ensure high standards of security.
It is precisely to maintain this balance that the Commission has proposed, among others, to amend the Schengen Borders Code.
Member States do retain the main responsibility when it comes to security.
The temporary reintroduction of border controls is a legitimate measure available to the Member States confronted with a serious threat to internal security or public policy in exceptional cases.
And this essence we should never forget: that internal border controls are and should be exceptional indeed!
Our proposal does not intend to make controls at internal borders easier or permanent – on the contrary.
We have proposed to reinforce the procedural safeguards.
The reintroduction of border controls should only be a last resort measure, with the Council having the last word, and the views of the other Member States affected by such decisions must be duly taken into account.
Alternative solutions, such as police checks and cross-border cooperation, must always take priority.
I would also like to stress the Schengen Borders Code amendment, which aims to adapt the rules for the reintroduction of temporary internal border controls to the current needs to respond to evolving and persistent serious threats to public policy or internal security.
In the meantime, the Commission is in contact with the Member States concerned on lifting internal border controls as soon as possible, allowing them to maintain the same level of security by using other tools, such as reinforced police checks and increased cross border cooperation.
We all agree that we should return to the full normal functioning of the Schengen area as soon as possible.
Mobility inside our Schengen area requires secured external borders.
This is exactly why, since 2015, we have made significant progress in our external border management.
A key element has been the establishment of the European Border and Coast Guard bringing together the national border guard authorities of the Member States and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, which now operates along the European borders.
As part of our proposal for the next Multi-Annual Financial Framework, which we put forward on 2 May 2018, we proposed to almost triple the expenditure for external border management, migration and asylum, which could fund 10,000 border guards by 2027 for the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.
The EU budget for the management of external borders, migration and asylum would overall reach more than €34.9 billion, compared to €13 billion for the period 2014-2020.
A new Integrated Border Management Fund will help to guarantee a high level of security in the EU by ensuring strong and effective border management, while safeguarding the free movement of persons.
If adopted, it will reinforce financial and operational support given to Member States in securing the EU’s common external border.
But it’s not just about return.
We equally need to know who is crossing our borders, and be able to stop those who pose a threat, whilst ensuring mobility for bonafide travellers.
We have already made substantial progress.
The development of the Entry-Exit system is starting.
We have also reached a political agreement on the next priority will be the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) – I would like to thank you for your work on this file too.
We also have proposals on the table to strengthen existing systems, such as the Schengen Information System (SIS), where negotiations are about to close and the European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS) in respect to third country nationals convicted in the EU, by creating the centralised ECRIS – Third Country National system.
Again, we need to reach swift agreements on these files.
We, therefore, aim to improve the exchange of information and to make our systems interoperable – to help us counter terrorism and serious crime and to secure our borders, in full respect of data protection.
Our proposal on interoperability will be a game changer in this respect, and we need to complete the work on it by the end of this year.
As you can see, we have many building blocks in place to strengthen our external borders.
But we need to make even further efforts to preserve Schengen, to make it even stronger and more resilient.
Finally, let me repeat: the absence of internal border control constitutes the very essence of Schengen.
But in a common area without border controls, security concerns are common too.
This is why we must do everything to preserve the careful balance between free movement and mobility on the one hand, and security on the other.
This is also what our citizens expect from us.
And we can only achieve this through a coordinated and united Schengen framework, which brings me to my last point: Schengen should include Romania and Bulgaria too.
Because a more inclusive Schengen is a more secure Schengen.
We call on the Council to finally decide for Bulgaria and Romania o join the Schengen family – and of course Croatia, once all criteria are met.
Closing Remarks
Thank you for this interesting and heated debate.
This proves that we share the will to return to a fully functioning Schengen area, but also a unified-one, including all the Member States from the moment they were or will be technically ready.
We should continue turning the crises of the last 3 years into opportunities for stronger and more effective cooperation.
We should learn from our experiences, fully follow-up on our joint evaluations and use the tools at our disposal to the maximum.
I took well note of all your interventions that are feeding the current reflection about the future of our border management.
I am sure that we will soon have more opportunities to follow-up on this debate.
We have to continue working together on all parts of our comprehensive approach: on migration, security and borders management, in a spirit of solidarity, joint responsibility and trust.
Together we have to strengthen and preserve Schengen, as the core symbol of our Unity.
Europe can only exist if it is united.
United: politically, economically, socially and geographically.
And Schengen is the guarantee and also the symbol of a geographically united Europe, ensuring the unity of our nations and of all European citizens.
Thank you.