The Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have authorised interinstitutional negotiations on reforming the Schengen Borders Code.
The authorisation on the start of negotiations with the EU Council on the final form of revised Schengen border rules was given with 370 votes in favour, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
By authorising such negotiations, the Parliament wants to clarify the current rules, strengthen free movement within the bloc, and introduce solutions to genuine threats.
Moreover, MEPs have said that they also want to ensure a coherent EU response in cases when there are large-scale public cross-border health emergencies instead of keeping a fragmented approach.
The EU Parliament negotiating team will be headed by rapporteur Sylvie Guillaume, who just recently said that protecting the free movement within the Schengen Area is key.
Protecting the Schengen free movement area and what it represents for 450 million Europeans is at the heart of this report. The negotiations have been difficult, but I am delighted we have managed to safeguard the essence of one of the European Union’s greatest achievements.
Prior to authorising negotiations on reforming the Schengen Border Code, MEPs backed a free movement proposal, stressing that internal border controls within the area can only be reintroduced when absolutely necessary.
Adopting a draft report, MEPs said that border restrictions must be temporary, suggesting that if there is no identified danger, border controls should not be in place.
As an alternative to border controls within Schengen, MEPs said that the new rules aim to promote cooperation of police in border regions.
In addition to the above-mentioned, the Parliament said that in line with the newly proposed rules, the authorities will be able to return third-country nationals who have entered the area irregularly more easily.
MEPs also said that Member States would be required to justify their reason for introducing border controls, noting that the maximum period to keep boarded controls in place is 18 months.
However, it was stressed that the reintroduction of border controls in certain countries would be permitted for up to two years in cases of serious threats.
MEPs have also proposed for the authorities to remove several concepts that are related to migration.
They said that the instrumentalisation of migrants should be covered by another separate proposal.
Previously, the EU Parliament also called to strengthen mutual strength and solidarity further by making changes to the Schengen Border Code.
After today’s vote, the talks with the Council can begin, and as soon as the authorities reach an agreement, changes will be made to the existing rules.