BETA


2017/2256(INI) Annual report on the functioning of the Schengen area

Progress: Procedure completed

RoleCommitteeRapporteurShadows
Lead LIBE COELHO Carlos (icon: PPE PPE) GUILLAUME Sylvie (icon: S&D S&D), WIKSTRÖM Cecilia (icon: ALDE ALDE), VALERO Bodil (icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE)
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
RoP 54

Events

2018/11/16
   EC - Commission response to text adopted in plenary
Documents
2018/05/30
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
2018/05/30
   EP - Decision by Parliament
Details

The European Parliament adopted by 439 votes to 157, with 80 abstentions, a resolution on the annual report on the functioning of the Schengen area.

In recent years several factors have impacted the functioning of the Schengen area such as the significant numbers of asylum seekers and irregular migrants with related secondary movements and the treat of terrorist attacks. Some Member States have reacted to the arrivals of asylum seekers and refugees by re-establishing controls at their internal borders.

Since March 2016, the Commission has proposed a series of measures aimed at restoring the normal functioning of the Schengen area. However, the proper functioning of the Schengen area has not yet been restored. Maintaining and re-establishing border controls in the Schengen area has serious repercussions on the lives of citizens who benefit from the principle of free movement within the EU.

The Schengen area is at a crossroads . It requires decisive and joint actions to fully restore the benefits it brings to citizens. It also requires mutual trust , cooperation and solidarity between Member States.

Progress and shortcomings : Members welcomed the effectiveness of the measures taken at the external borders and the creation of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency ( EBCGA ). They noted the steps taken through amendment of the Schengen Borders Code and introduction of mandatory systematic checks against relevant databases at the external borders on entry and exit for third-country nationals and for EU nationals, while remaining vigilant about the effects, necessity and proportionality of these measures on the border crossings of EU nationals.

They noted the importance of the newly introduced vulnerability assessment mechanism in uncovering weaknesses at the common external borders and preventing crises.

They noted the steps taken through amendment of the Schengen Borders Code and introduction of mandatory systematic checks against relevant databases at the external borders on entry and exit for third-country nationals and for EU nationals, while remaining vigilant about the effects, necessity and proportionality of these measures on the border crossings of EU nationals.

Members expressed concerns regarding the critical shortcomings and deficiencies discovered through the Schengen Evaluation Mechanism and the vulnerability assessment. They condemned the co ntinued reintroduction of internal border checks as this undermines the basic principles of the Schengen area. Many of the prolongations are not in line with the existing rules as to their extensions, necessity or proportionality and are therefore unlawful . The also condemned the construction of physical barriers, including fences, between Member States and recalls its doubts as to the compatibility of such actions with the Schengen Borders Code.

The resolution stressed that a further prolongation of the existing internal border controls – or the reintroduction of new ones – would impose major economic costs on the EU as a whole by severely damaging the single market.

Action to be taken : Parliament stressed the need to remedy, as soon as possible, the critical shortcomings identified in order to restore the normal functioning of the Schengen area without internal border controls. The resolution in particular:

stressed the importance of reforming and adapting the SIS to face new challenges swiftly, namely regarding the protection of children who are at risk or missing , the immediate, obligatory exchange of information on terrorism; highlighted the anticipated substantial increase in the activity of the Supplementary Information Request at the National Entry (SIRENE) Bureau; called on the Commission and the Members States to allocate sufficient resources to the implementation and follow-up of Schengen evaluations and vulnerability assessments; invited the Member States directly concerned to prepare contingency plans to mitigate situations of increased levels of migration and to improve registration and accommodation capacity while fully respecting the principle of non-refoulement and fundamental rights; called on the Council to approve the accession of Bulgaria and Romania as fully-fledged members of the Schengen area.

Other issues impacting Schengen : Parliament regretted that many persons have been reported dead or missing in the Mediterranean Sea in recent years. A permanent, robust and effective Union response in search and rescue operations at sea is crucial in preventing the loss of life at sea.

Member States are also called on to:

ensure a rapid and efficient return procedure , respecting fundamental rights and in humane and dignified conditions; take specific steps to ensure adequate infrastructure, accommodation and living conditions for all asylum seekers, especially taking into consideration the needs of unaccompanied minors and families with minors as well as women in vulnerable situations; bring their detention facilities into line with the requirements of international best practices and human rights norms and conventions, to meet capacity demand, bearing in mind that detention is a measure of last resort and is not in the best interest of the child , and to increase the use of alternative measures to detention; further develop mutual cross-border police cooperation through joint threat assessment, risk analysis and patrols.

Lastly, Members recalled the high priority given to the reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) as part of the holistic approach to addressing the challenges affecting refugee, asylum-seeker and migrant policies and the Commission’s Agenda on Migration. They noted that Parliament has repeatedly stressed that opening legal channels for migrants and refugees is the best way to fight human trafficking and at the same time ‘irregular’ migration. The Council was called on to swiftly follow Parliament in adopting a mandate for negotiations on every proposal in this regard, particularly as regards the Dublin Regulation.

Parliament stressed the need to improve the security of identity cards provided by the Member States to EU citizens and called on the Commission to propose standards for the security and biometric features incorporated in identity cards, as is already the case with passports.

Documents
2018/05/30
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2018/05/29
   EP - Debate in Parliament
2018/05/03
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary
Details

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted the own-initiative report by Carlos COELHO (EPP, PT) on the annual report on the functioning of the Schengen area.

In recent years several factors have impacted the functioning of the Schengen area such as the significant numbers of asylum seekers and irregular migrants with related secondary movements and the treat of terrorist attacks. The strengthening of the EU’s external borders and the introduction of systematic checks against relevant data bases, including for European citizens, were part of the measures put in place to protect the Schengen area. Maintaining internal border controls in the Union or reintroducing such controls in the Schengen area has a serious impact on the lives of European citizens and all those who benefit from the principle of free movement within the EU, and seriously undermines their trust in the European institutions and integration.

Shortcomings : the report noted that the EU legislator has adopted a number of measures in the last three years which were designed to reinforce the integrity of the Schengen Area without internal border controls. Members welcomed the effectiveness of the measures taken at the external borders and the creation of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency ( EBCGA ). They noted the importance of the newly introduced vulnerability assessment mechanism in uncovering weaknesses at the common external borders and preventing crises.

They noted the steps taken through amendment of the Schengen Borders Code and introduction of mandatory systematic checks against relevant databases at the external borders on entry and exit for third-country nationals and for EU nationals, while remaining vigilant about the effects, necessity and proportionality of these measures on the border crossings of EU nationals.

Members expressed concerns regarding the critical shortcomings and deficiencies discovered through the Schengen Evaluation Mechanism and the vulnerability assessment. They condemned the continued reintroduction of internal border checks as this undermines the basic principles of the Schengen area. Many of the prolongations are not in line with the existing rules as to their extensions, necessity or proportionality and are therefore unlawful .

They stressed that a further prolongation of the existing internal border controls – or the reintroduction of new ones – would impose major economic costs on the EU as a whole by severely damaging the single market.

Action to be taken : Members:

stressed the importance of reforming and adapting the SIS to face new challenges swiftly, namely regarding the protection of children who are at risk or missing , the immediate, obligatory exchange of information on terrorism; highlighted the anticipated substantial increase in the activity of the Supplementary Information Request at the National Entry (SIRENE) Bureau; called on the Commission and the Members States to allocate sufficient resources to the implementation and follow-up of Schengen evaluations and vulnerability assessments; reiterated support for Bulgaria and Romania’s immediate accession to the Schengen area, and the accession of Croatia as soon as it fulfils the criteria for joining. They called on the Council to approve the accession of Bulgaria and Romania as fully-fledged members of the Schengen area.

Other issues impacting Schengen : Members stressed that the current state of Schengen and the persistence of internal border controls are not due primarily to problems in the structure and rules of the Schengen area itself but rather to the related fields of the acquis, such as shortcomings in the area of the Common European Asylum System, including a lack of political will, solidarity and responsibility sharing, the Dublin Regulation and the management of the external borders.

Members regretted that many persons have been reported dead or missing in the Mediterranean Sea in recent years. A permanent, robust and effective Union response in search and rescue operations at sea is crucial in preventing the loss of life at sea.

Member States are also called on to:

take specific steps to ensure adequate infrastructure, accommodation and living conditions for all asylum seekers, especially taking into consideration the needs of unaccompanied minors and families with minors as well as women in vulnerable situations; bring their detention facilities into line with the requirements of international best practices and human rights norms and conventions, to meet capacity demand, bearing in mind that detention is a measure of last resort and is not in the best interest of the child , and to increase the use of alternative measures to detention; further develop mutual cross-border police cooperation through joint threat assessment, risk analysis and patrols.

Lastly, Members recalled the high priority given to the reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) as part of the holistic approach to addressing the challenges affecting refugee, asylum-seeker and migrant policies and the Commission’s Agenda on Migration. They noted that Parliament has repeatedly stressed that opening legal channels for migrants and refugees is the best way to fight human trafficking and at the same time ‘irregular’ migration. The Council was called on to swiftly follow Parliament in adopting a mandate for negotiations on every proposal in this regard, particularly as regards the Dublin Regulation. The report highlighted that the new European Agency for Asylum has still to be approved and urged the Council to unblock this file as a matter of urgency. It also stressed the need to improve the security of identity cards provided by the Member States to EU citizens and called on the Commission to propose standards for the security and biometric features incorporated in identity cards, as is already the case with passports.

Documents
2018/04/25
   EP - Vote in committee
2018/03/14
   EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2018/02/19
   EP - Committee draft report
Documents
2017/12/14
   EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament
2017/05/03
   EP - COELHO Carlos (PPE) appointed as rapporteur in LIBE

Documents

Activities

Votes

A8-0160/2018 - Carlos Coelho - Résolution 30/05/2018 13:36:30.000 #

2018/05/30 Outcome: +: 439, -: 157, 0: 80
DE IT ES RO PL BG BE PT SE HR LT LV FI AT SK LU EE MT CZ IE SI HU ?? CY NL DK EL FR GB
Total
85
65
49
28
46
15
20
21
19
11
10
8
12
18
12
6
6
6
18
10
3
15
1
5
26
7
15
70
67
icon: S&D S&D
170

Croatia S&D

2

Lithuania S&D

1

Latvia S&D

1

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

1

Estonia S&D

For (1)

1

Malta S&D

3

Czechia S&D

3

Ireland S&D

For (1)

1

Slovenia S&D

For (1)

1

Cyprus S&D

2

Netherlands S&D

3

Denmark S&D

2

Greece S&D

2
icon: PPE PPE
187

Luxembourg PPE

3

Estonia PPE

For (1)

1

Cyprus PPE

1

Denmark PPE

Abstain (1)

1

United Kingdom PPE

2
icon: ALDE ALDE
63

Germany ALDE

Against (1)

3

Romania ALDE

3

Bulgaria ALDE

3

Portugal ALDE

1

Croatia ALDE

2

Latvia ALDE

1

Finland ALDE

Abstain (1)

3

Austria ALDE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg ALDE

For (1)

1

Estonia ALDE

3

Czechia ALDE

4

Ireland ALDE

For (1)

1

Slovenia ALDE

For (1)

1

Denmark ALDE

For (1)

1

United Kingdom ALDE

1
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
51

Italy Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Belgium Verts/ALE

2

Croatia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Lithuania Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Latvia Verts/ALE

1

Finland Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Austria Verts/ALE

3

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Estonia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Slovenia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Hungary Verts/ALE

2

Netherlands Verts/ALE

2
icon: NI NI
19

Germany NI

2

Hungary NI

2

NI

For (1)

1

France NI

2

United Kingdom NI

4
icon: EFDD EFDD
42

Germany EFDD

Against (1)

1

Poland EFDD

1

Sweden EFDD

2

Lithuania EFDD

Against (1)

1

Czechia EFDD

Against (1)

1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
47

Italy GUE/NGL

Against (1)

3

Portugal GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

4

Sweden GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1

Finland GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Czechia GUE/NGL

2

Ireland GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

4

Cyprus GUE/NGL

2

Netherlands GUE/NGL

Against (1)

3

Denmark GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1
icon: ECR ECR
62

Germany ECR

Abstain (1)

4

Italy ECR

2

Romania ECR

For (1)

Abstain (1)

2

Bulgaria ECR

2

Croatia ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Lithuania ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Latvia ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Finland ECR

2

Slovakia ECR

Against (1)

3

Czechia ECR

2

Netherlands ECR

Against (1)

Abstain (1)

2

Denmark ECR

2

Greece ECR

Against (1)

1
icon: ENF ENF
33

Germany ENF

Against (1)

1

Poland ENF

2

Belgium ENF

Against (1)

1

Netherlands ENF

4

United Kingdom ENF

Against (1)

1
AmendmentsDossier
249 2017/2256(INI)
2018/03/14 LIBE 249 amendments...
source: 619.140

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

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activities
  • date: 2017-12-14T00:00:00 body: EP type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: GUILLAUME Sylvie group: ALDE name: WIKSTRÖM Cecilia group: GUE/NGL name: VERGIAT Marie-Christine group: Verts/ALE name: VALERO Bodil responsible: True committee: LIBE date: 2017-05-03T00:00:00 committee_full: Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs rapporteur: group: EPP name: COELHO Carlos
  • date: 2018-04-25T00:00:00 body: EP type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: GUILLAUME Sylvie group: ALDE name: WIKSTRÖM Cecilia group: GUE/NGL name: VERGIAT Marie-Christine group: Verts/ALE name: VALERO Bodil responsible: True committee: LIBE date: 2017-05-03T00:00:00 committee_full: Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs rapporteur: group: EPP name: COELHO Carlos
  • date: 2018-05-03T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2018-0160&language=EN type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading title: A8-0160/2018 body: EP type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
  • date: 2018-05-29T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20180529&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament body: EP type: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2018-05-30T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=31094&l=en type: Results of vote in Parliament title: Results of vote in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2018-0228 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T8-0228/2018 body: EP type: Results of vote in Parliament
commission
  • body: EC dg: Migration and Home Affairs commissioner: AVRAMOPOULOS Dimitris
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docs
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  • date: 2018-03-14T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE619.140 title: PE619.140 type: Amendments tabled in committee body: EP
  • date: 2018-11-16T00:00:00 docs: url: /oeil/spdoc.do?i=31094&j=0&l=en title: SP(2018)515 type: Commission response to text adopted in plenary
events
  • date: 2017-12-14T00:00:00 type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2018-04-25T00:00:00 type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2018-05-03T00:00:00 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2018-0160&language=EN title: A8-0160/2018 summary: The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted the own-initiative report by Carlos COELHO (EPP, PT) on the annual report on the functioning of the Schengen area. In recent years several factors have impacted the functioning of the Schengen area such as the significant numbers of asylum seekers and irregular migrants with related secondary movements and the treat of terrorist attacks. The strengthening of the EU’s external borders and the introduction of systematic checks against relevant data bases, including for European citizens, were part of the measures put in place to protect the Schengen area. Maintaining internal border controls in the Union or reintroducing such controls in the Schengen area has a serious impact on the lives of European citizens and all those who benefit from the principle of free movement within the EU, and seriously undermines their trust in the European institutions and integration. Shortcomings : the report noted that the EU legislator has adopted a number of measures in the last three years which were designed to reinforce the integrity of the Schengen Area without internal border controls. Members welcomed the effectiveness of the measures taken at the external borders and the creation of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency ( EBCGA ). They noted the importance of the newly introduced vulnerability assessment mechanism in uncovering weaknesses at the common external borders and preventing crises. They noted the steps taken through amendment of the Schengen Borders Code and introduction of mandatory systematic checks against relevant databases at the external borders on entry and exit for third-country nationals and for EU nationals, while remaining vigilant about the effects, necessity and proportionality of these measures on the border crossings of EU nationals. Members expressed concerns regarding the critical shortcomings and deficiencies discovered through the Schengen Evaluation Mechanism and the vulnerability assessment. They condemned the continued reintroduction of internal border checks as this undermines the basic principles of the Schengen area. Many of the prolongations are not in line with the existing rules as to their extensions, necessity or proportionality and are therefore unlawful . They stressed that a further prolongation of the existing internal border controls – or the reintroduction of new ones – would impose major economic costs on the EU as a whole by severely damaging the single market. Action to be taken : Members: stressed the importance of reforming and adapting the SIS to face new challenges swiftly, namely regarding the protection of children who are at risk or missing , the immediate, obligatory exchange of information on terrorism; highlighted the anticipated substantial increase in the activity of the Supplementary Information Request at the National Entry (SIRENE) Bureau; called on the Commission and the Members States to allocate sufficient resources to the implementation and follow-up of Schengen evaluations and vulnerability assessments; reiterated support for Bulgaria and Romania’s immediate accession to the Schengen area, and the accession of Croatia as soon as it fulfils the criteria for joining. They called on the Council to approve the accession of Bulgaria and Romania as fully-fledged members of the Schengen area. Other issues impacting Schengen : Members stressed that the current state of Schengen and the persistence of internal border controls are not due primarily to problems in the structure and rules of the Schengen area itself but rather to the related fields of the acquis, such as shortcomings in the area of the Common European Asylum System, including a lack of political will, solidarity and responsibility sharing, the Dublin Regulation and the management of the external borders. Members regretted that many persons have been reported dead or missing in the Mediterranean Sea in recent years. A permanent, robust and effective Union response in search and rescue operations at sea is crucial in preventing the loss of life at sea. Member States are also called on to: take specific steps to ensure adequate infrastructure, accommodation and living conditions for all asylum seekers, especially taking into consideration the needs of unaccompanied minors and families with minors as well as women in vulnerable situations; bring their detention facilities into line with the requirements of international best practices and human rights norms and conventions, to meet capacity demand, bearing in mind that detention is a measure of last resort and is not in the best interest of the child , and to increase the use of alternative measures to detention; further develop mutual cross-border police cooperation through joint threat assessment, risk analysis and patrols. Lastly, Members recalled the high priority given to the reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) as part of the holistic approach to addressing the challenges affecting refugee, asylum-seeker and migrant policies and the Commission’s Agenda on Migration. They noted that Parliament has repeatedly stressed that opening legal channels for migrants and refugees is the best way to fight human trafficking and at the same time ‘irregular’ migration. The Council was called on to swiftly follow Parliament in adopting a mandate for negotiations on every proposal in this regard, particularly as regards the Dublin Regulation. The report highlighted that the new European Agency for Asylum has still to be approved and urged the Council to unblock this file as a matter of urgency. It also stressed the need to improve the security of identity cards provided by the Member States to EU citizens and called on the Commission to propose standards for the security and biometric features incorporated in identity cards, as is already the case with passports.
  • date: 2018-05-29T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20180529&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2018-05-30T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=31094&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
  • date: 2018-05-30T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2018-0228 title: T8-0228/2018 summary: The European Parliament adopted by 439 votes to 157, with 80 abstentions, a resolution on the annual report on the functioning of the Schengen area. In recent years several factors have impacted the functioning of the Schengen area such as the significant numbers of asylum seekers and irregular migrants with related secondary movements and the treat of terrorist attacks. Some Member States have reacted to the arrivals of asylum seekers and refugees by re-establishing controls at their internal borders. Since March 2016, the Commission has proposed a series of measures aimed at restoring the normal functioning of the Schengen area. However, the proper functioning of the Schengen area has not yet been restored. Maintaining and re-establishing border controls in the Schengen area has serious repercussions on the lives of citizens who benefit from the principle of free movement within the EU. The Schengen area is at a crossroads . It requires decisive and joint actions to fully restore the benefits it brings to citizens. It also requires mutual trust , cooperation and solidarity between Member States. Progress and shortcomings : Members welcomed the effectiveness of the measures taken at the external borders and the creation of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency ( EBCGA ). They noted the steps taken through amendment of the Schengen Borders Code and introduction of mandatory systematic checks against relevant databases at the external borders on entry and exit for third-country nationals and for EU nationals, while remaining vigilant about the effects, necessity and proportionality of these measures on the border crossings of EU nationals. They noted the importance of the newly introduced vulnerability assessment mechanism in uncovering weaknesses at the common external borders and preventing crises. They noted the steps taken through amendment of the Schengen Borders Code and introduction of mandatory systematic checks against relevant databases at the external borders on entry and exit for third-country nationals and for EU nationals, while remaining vigilant about the effects, necessity and proportionality of these measures on the border crossings of EU nationals. Members expressed concerns regarding the critical shortcomings and deficiencies discovered through the Schengen Evaluation Mechanism and the vulnerability assessment. They condemned the co ntinued reintroduction of internal border checks as this undermines the basic principles of the Schengen area. Many of the prolongations are not in line with the existing rules as to their extensions, necessity or proportionality and are therefore unlawful . The also condemned the construction of physical barriers, including fences, between Member States and recalls its doubts as to the compatibility of such actions with the Schengen Borders Code. The resolution stressed that a further prolongation of the existing internal border controls – or the reintroduction of new ones – would impose major economic costs on the EU as a whole by severely damaging the single market. Action to be taken : Parliament stressed the need to remedy, as soon as possible, the critical shortcomings identified in order to restore the normal functioning of the Schengen area without internal border controls. The resolution in particular: stressed the importance of reforming and adapting the SIS to face new challenges swiftly, namely regarding the protection of children who are at risk or missing , the immediate, obligatory exchange of information on terrorism; highlighted the anticipated substantial increase in the activity of the Supplementary Information Request at the National Entry (SIRENE) Bureau; called on the Commission and the Members States to allocate sufficient resources to the implementation and follow-up of Schengen evaluations and vulnerability assessments; invited the Member States directly concerned to prepare contingency plans to mitigate situations of increased levels of migration and to improve registration and accommodation capacity while fully respecting the principle of non-refoulement and fundamental rights; called on the Council to approve the accession of Bulgaria and Romania as fully-fledged members of the Schengen area. Other issues impacting Schengen : Parliament regretted that many persons have been reported dead or missing in the Mediterranean Sea in recent years. A permanent, robust and effective Union response in search and rescue operations at sea is crucial in preventing the loss of life at sea. Member States are also called on to: ensure a rapid and efficient return procedure , respecting fundamental rights and in humane and dignified conditions; take specific steps to ensure adequate infrastructure, accommodation and living conditions for all asylum seekers, especially taking into consideration the needs of unaccompanied minors and families with minors as well as women in vulnerable situations; bring their detention facilities into line with the requirements of international best practices and human rights norms and conventions, to meet capacity demand, bearing in mind that detention is a measure of last resort and is not in the best interest of the child , and to increase the use of alternative measures to detention; further develop mutual cross-border police cooperation through joint threat assessment, risk analysis and patrols. Lastly, Members recalled the high priority given to the reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) as part of the holistic approach to addressing the challenges affecting refugee, asylum-seeker and migrant policies and the Commission’s Agenda on Migration. They noted that Parliament has repeatedly stressed that opening legal channels for migrants and refugees is the best way to fight human trafficking and at the same time ‘irregular’ migration. The Council was called on to swiftly follow Parliament in adopting a mandate for negotiations on every proposal in this regard, particularly as regards the Dublin Regulation. Parliament stressed the need to improve the security of identity cards provided by the Member States to EU citizens and called on the Commission to propose standards for the security and biometric features incorporated in identity cards, as is already the case with passports.
  • date: 2018-05-30T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
links
other
  • body: EC dg: url: http://ec.europa.eu/info/departments/migration-and-home-affairs_en title: Migration and Home Affairs commissioner: AVRAMOPOULOS Dimitris
procedure/dossier_of_the_committee
Old
LIBE/8/11551
New
  • LIBE/8/11551
procedure/legal_basis/0
Rules of Procedure EP 54
procedure/legal_basis/0
Rules of Procedure EP 52
procedure/subject
Old
  • 7.10.02 Schengen area, Schengen acquis
New
7.10.02
Schengen area, Schengen acquis
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2018-04-25T00:00:00
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2018-05-03T00:00:00
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Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
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2018-05-29T00:00:00
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2018-05-30T00:00:00
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7.10.02 Schengen area
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7.10.02 Schengen area, Schengen acquis
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2017-12-14T00:00:00
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body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: GUILLAUME Sylvie group: ALDE name: WIKSTRÖM Cecilia group: GUE/NGL name: VERGIAT Marie-Christine group: Verts/ALE name: VALERO Bodil responsible: True committee: LIBE date: 2017-05-03T00:00:00 committee_full: Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs rapporteur: group: EPP name: COELHO Carlos
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LIBE/8/11551
procedure/stage_reached
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Preparatory phase in Parliament
New
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    • body: EP shadows: group: S&D name: GUILLAUME Sylvie group: ALDE name: WIKSTRÖM Cecilia group: GUE/NGL name: VERGIAT Marie-Christine group: Verts/ALE name: VALERO Bodil responsible: True committee: LIBE date: 2017-05-03T00:00:00 committee_full: Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs rapporteur: group: EPP name: COELHO Carlos
    links
    other
    • body: EC dg: url: http://ec.europa.eu/info/departments/migration-and-home-affairs_en title: Migration and Home Affairs commissioner: AVRAMOPOULOS Dimitris
    procedure
    reference
    2017/2256(INI)
    title
    Annual report on the functioning of the Schengen area
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    Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 052
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    Preparatory phase in Parliament
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    Initiative
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    INI - Own-initiative procedure
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    7.10.02 Schengen area