Brussels reveals tighter border-free rules / EU plans to exclude wayward Schengen nations / Ministers rebuff Brussels on borders

Draft details of a proposal to be launched by the European Commission on the 16 September 2011, which will impose strict conditions on new passport controls between EU Member States, including a maximum six-month limit and interim review checks every 30 days.

But the Commission’s suggested approach was likely to be met with resistance from many national governments, particularly France and Denmark, eager to give themselves more leeway when it comes to suspending border-free travel in exceptional circumstances.

Features both preview and report on the 16 September 2011 announcement by the European Commission.

Politiken, 6.9.11: EU prepares new border law http://politiken.dk/newsinenglish/ECE1382862/eu-prepares-new-border-law/

EUObserver, 6.9.11: EU commission wants nations to give up border control decisions http://euobserver.com/22/113532

EurActiv, 16.9.11: Malmström vows to defend 'fantastic' Schengen project http://www.euractiv.com/justice/malmstr-vows-defend-fantastic-schengen-project-news-507722

EUObserver, 13.9.11: EU countries say 'No' to commission powers on border control http://euobserver.com/22/113606

ESO: Background information: Schengen area http://www.europeansources.info/record/schengen-borders-and-visas/

ESO: Background information: Denmark’s customs checks face Brussels review / Denmark faces court challenge http://www.europeansources.info/record/denmarks-customs-checks-face-brussels-review-denmark-faces-court-challenge-to-border-crackdown/

ESO: Background information: Paris acted within Schengen over Tunisians http://www.europeansources.info/record/paris-acted-within-schengen-over-tunisians/

European Commission: RAPID: Press Release: IP/11/1036: Schengen: EU Commission proposes a European approach to better protect citizens' free movement http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/1036&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: Memo/11/608: Factsheet: What is Schengen? http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/608&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: Memo/11/606: Frequently Asked Questions: Schengen – strengthening the area without internal border controls to guarantee free movement http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/606&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: Speech/11/585: Cecila Malmström: Strengthening the area without internal border controls to guarantee free movement http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/11/585&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Politiken, 27.9.11: Towards an EU that excludes (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu//en/content/article/996421-towards-eu-excludes

EUObserver, 15.9.11: Commission pushes for 'europeanisation' of border controls http://euobserver.com/22/113626

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