The Council of the European Union has approved significant changes to the Schengen Borders Code, providing EU countries with greater control over their borders and new powers regarding entry into the region. This move aims to make the Schengen area more resilient to current and future crises, ensuring safety while preserving the benefits of borderless travel.
Key Changes Include:
1. Tighter Border Control:
The new Schengen Borders Code allows member states to enhance border control measures, including the possibility to limit the number of border crossing points or reduce their opening hours. This aims to provide more flexibility in managing border security effectively.
2. Health Measures:
In the event of a large-scale public health emergency, the new rules grant the EU the ability to impose harmonized temporary travel restrictions at its external borders. The Council can also enforce testing, quarantine, self-isolation, and other health-related measures for non-EU travelers entering the EU. This measure ensures a coordinated response to health crises, safeguarding public health across the member states.
3. Migration Management:
The reform introduces a transfer procedure to manage the secondary movement of migrants within the EU, from one member state to another. It also offers solutions to handle the instrumentalization of migration, ensuring a more organized and humane approach to migration issues.
4. Internal Border Controls:
The revised code clarifies the framework for the reintroduction and prolongation of internal border controls. These controls can be reintroduced when there is a serious threat to public policy or internal security. Member states will need to assess the necessity and proportionality of such decisions, ensuring that they are justified and that objectives cannot be attained by other means.
Implications for Travelers:
- Increased Security: Travelers can expect more stringent checks and potentially longer wait times at certain border crossing points, particularly during emergencies.
- Health Precautions: Non-EU travelers may need to comply with health measures such as testing and quarantine, particularly during public health crises.
- Streamlined Migration Processes: The new rules aim to provide a more organized approach to managing migration within the EU, ensuring fair treatment and distribution of migrants across member states.
EU Commitment to Safety and Freedom:
These changes reflect the EU’s commitment to balancing security with the freedom of movement that defines the Schengen area. By implementing these new measures, the EU aims to enhance the resilience of its borders while continuing to facilitate the ease of travel for its residents and visitors.
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