Press Release: Back to Schengen: Commission takes next steps towards lifting of temporary internal border controls

The European Commission proposed on 4 May 2016 a Recommendation, to be decided upon by the European Council, to prolong proportionate controls at certain internal Schengen borders, namely in Germany, Austria, Sweden, Denmark and Norway for a maximum period of six months. National measures have already been introduced by these countries to address the threat to public policy and internal security resulting from the secondary movements of irregular migrants.

The draft Recommendation proposed to extend these measures, in line with the Schengen Borders Code, as, and despite significant progress made by Greece, not all of the serious deficiencies identified could be adequately and comprehensively addressed within the three months' limit.

The European Parliament held a debate on this proposa with the Commission and the Council of the European Union on 11 May.

• Primary Source

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: MEMO/16/1628, 04.05.16: Questions & Answers: A coordinated EU approach for temporary internal border controls http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-16-1628_en.htm

ESO: Background information: Germany wants EU border controls extended http://www.europeansources.info/record/germany-wants-eu-border-controls-extended/

ESO: Background information: Back to Schengen: Commission proposes Roadmap for restoring fully functioning Schengen system http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-back-to-schengen-commission-proposes-roadmap-for-restoring-fully-functioning-schengen-system/

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

ESO: Background information: The future of Schengen http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-future-of-schengen/

ESO: Background information: Speech: Remarks by First Vice-President Timmermans and Commissioner Avramopoulos at the Readout of the College Meeting of 4 May 2016 https://www.europeansources.info/showDoc?ID=1212793

EurActiv, 04.05.16: Commission approves extending border checks at internal Schengen borders http://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/commission-approves-extending-border-checks-at-internal-schengen-borders/

Kathimerini, 04.05.16: Border controls extended as EC sees shortfalls in Greek management http://www.ekathimerini.com/208376/article/ekathimerini/news/border-controls-extended-as-ec-sees-shortfalls-in-greek-management

The Local.de, 02.05.16: Sweden fights for EU border controls to stay http://www.thelocal.se/20160502/sweden-fights-for-eu-border-controls-to-stay

Deutsche Welle, 04.05.16: European Commission extends permission for Schengen border controls http://dw.com/p/1IiNo

Euronews, 02.05.16: Denmark extends controls on German border, EU set to allow more Schengen exceptions http://www.euronews.com/2016/05/02/denmark-extends-controls-on-german-border-eu-set-to-allow-more-schengen/

EUObserver, 04.05.16: EU internal border checks to stay in place https://euobserver.com/justice/133342

European Parliament: Newsroom: Press Release, 11.05.16: Secure EU external borders to help save Schengen passport-free area, urge MEPs http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20160504IPR25746/

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