Schengen on the rocks / Greece threatened with expulsion from Schengen over migration crisis

Report of a discussion on the highly sensitive issue of internal border controls within the 26 countries of the Schengen Area at an Informal meeting of EU Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs, Amsterdam, 25-26 January 2016.

Ministers agreed to ask the European Commission to prepare for measures that would allow member states to prolong temporary border controls to up to two years - seen as potentially a development which would fatally damage the important principle of free movement of people within the Schengen area. The measures were seen as a reaction to the continuing large scale influx of migrants and asylum seekers from outside the EU.

In addition, Greece was told it must have all five planned hot spots ready by the end of February 2016 or face further action.

• Primary Source

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

Euro|Topics: Debates, 25.01.16: Schengen on the rocks http://www.eurotopics.net/en/152480/schengen-on-the-rocks

ESO: Background information: Informal meeting of the Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs, Scheepvaartmuseum, Amsterdam, 25-26 January 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/informal-meeting-of-the-ministers-of-justice-and-home-affairs-scheepvaartmuseum-amsterdam-25-26-january-2016/

Politico, 25.01.16: Avramopoulos: ‘Greece will stay in Schengen zone’ http://www.politico.eu/article/avramopoulos-greece-will-stay-in-schengen-zone-austria-refugees-migrants/

EUObserver, 25.01.16: Greece risks Schengen expulsion over migrant crisis https://euobserver.com/justice/131975

Kathimerini, 25.01.16: One killed, two injured in migrant clashes at Greek border http://www.ekathimerini.com/205381/article/ekathimerini/news/one-killed-two-injured-in-migrant-clashes-at-greek-border

Deutsche Welle, 25.01.16: EU mulls extending border control limits to save Schengen zone http://dw.com/p/1HjHZ

Deutsche Welle, 25.01.16: Refugee crisis: five steps the EU must take http://dw.com/p/1HjSI

ESO: Background information: Final days of the EU’s refugee strategy http://www.europeansources.info/record/final-days-of-the-eus-refugee-strategy/

ESO: Background information: Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council. Progress report on the implementation of the hotspots in Greece http://www.europeansources.info/record/progress-report-on-the-implementation-of-the-hotspots-in-greece/

ESO: Background information: 20 years on: rethinking Schengen http://www.europeansources.info/record/20-years-on-rethinking-schengen/

Politico, 25.01.16: EU pushes ‘worst-case scenario’ to stem migrant crisis http://www.politico.eu/article/eu-possible-extension-schengen-border-control/

EUObserver, 25.01.16: EU states push for two-year border controls https://euobserver.com/migration/131988

EurActiv, 25.01.16: EPP leader floats Schengen suspensions http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/epp-leader-floats-schengen-suspensions-321276

EurActiv, 26.01.16: Two year Schengen suspension edges closer http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/2-year-schengen-suspension-becomes-realistic-option-321297

The Guardian, 26.01.16: EU border controls: Schengen scheme on the brink after Amsterdam talks http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/25/refugee-crisis-schengen-area-scheme-brink-amsterdam-talks

Kathimerini, 25.01.16: EU exerts pressure on Greece via Schengen threat http://www.ekathimerini.com/205410/article/ekathimerini/news/eu-exerts-pressure-on-greece-via-schengen-threat

EUObserver, 25.01.16: Greece rejects Schengen threats as 'blame game' https://euobserver.com/migration/131980

Euro|Topics: Debates, 26.01.16; Must Athens do more to protect EU's outer borders? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/152568/must-athens-do-more-to-protect-eu-s-outer-borders

EurActiv, 26.01.16: Commission: Schengen suspension could be extended, 60% of migrants should be sent back http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/commission-schengen-suspension-could-be-extended-60-migrants-should-be-sent

EUObserver, 26.01.16: Most asylum seekers ineligible, EU commissioner says https://euobserver.com/migration/132006

Spiegel Online International, 29.01.16: German Interior Minister on Refugee Crisis: 'We Want Clarity on the Refugee Crisis by Spring' http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/interview-with-german-interior-minister-on-refugee-crisis-a-1074630.html

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