Migration: debate on Coast guard and external border checks

Plans to to turn the EU’s Frontex border agency into a common border and coast guard, which in emergencies could be deployed even without the approval of the country concerned, will be presented by the EU Commission and the Dutch Presidency of the Council to Civil Liberties Committee MEPs on Monday at 16.30. MEPs will also debate systematic checks at external borders and European travel document proposals.

The Commission presented the border and coast guard package on 15 December 2015 to ensure strong and shared management of the EU’s external borders. The package also includes:

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  a regulation to establish the European border and coast guard,
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  a revison of the Schengen Borders Code to introduce mandatory systematic checks on EU citizens entering and leaving the EU, and
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  A European travel document for the return of illegally staying third country nationals.

The Commission’s proposal aims to:

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  turn Frontex into a European border and coast guard agency, which, with its own 1,500-2,000 staff and equipment, would no longer have to rely entirely upon member states’ contributions and could, in urgent cases, deploy agents even without the approval of the country concerned,
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  establish a European “return” office within the new agency. In urgent situations, rapid return intervention teams could be deployed either at the request of a member state or by decision of the EU, and
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  introduce mandatory systematic checks on EU citizens and third country nationals entering and leaving the EU.

The debate will take place in the József Antall building, room 6Q2.

You can follow the meeting via webstreaming.