01.10.15

The civil liberties committee debates the Schengen situation with Commission representatives today after the temporary re-imposition of border controls by some member states. The Commission is required to monitor the situation closely and keep Parliament and the Council fully informed under the Schengen Borders Code.

Parliament passed a resolution on 10 September restating its commitment to “open borders within the Schengen area, while ensuring effective management of external borders”. Jean, a member of the civil liberties committee, said:

‘Closing internal borders is political grand-standing, rather than really trying to solve the issue of refugees moving within the EU. A more organised and welcoming approach would be a better remedy than going back to the days of miles of fencing across Europe.’