Brussels pushes for border controls

Article reports that the European Commission would propose on the 4 May 2011 a mechanism to temporarily reinstate border controls within the European Union to isolate countries overwhelmed with illegal migrants.

This proposal was part of a wide-ranging Communication on Migration policy adopted by the European Commission on the 4 May 2011. This proposed a structured, comprehensive, rapid-response approach from the EU. The Communication covered various aspects of migration policy such as a strategic approach for relations with third countries on migration related issues, elements for strengthened border control and Schengen governance, better targeted legal migration, enhanced dissemination of best practices on integration and completion of the Common European Asylum System.

The communication would be followed up with other flanking initiatives in the near future, notably a Communication on EU Agenda for Integration and a 2nd Annual Report on Asylum and Immigration to be presented on the 24 May 2011.

European Parliament: Press Release, 2.5.11: MEPs suspicious about Schengen rules review http://www.europarl.europa.eu/en/pressroom/content/20110502IPR18530/html/MEPs-suspicious-about-Schengen-rules-review

EurActiv, 11.5.11: Barroso: Schengen reform is not 'knee-jerk' reaction http://www.euractiv.com/future-eu/barroso-schengen-reform-knee-jer-news-504729

European Commission: DG Home Affairs: Policies: Borders: Schengen convention http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/index_en.htm

EurActiv, 2.5.11: France-Italy border row 'shameful race to the bottom' http://www.euractiv.com/future-eu/france-italy-border-row-shameful-news-504425

ESO: Background information: Rome and Paris seek border reforms http://www.europeansources.info/record/rome-and-paris-seek-border-reforms/

Deutsche Welle, 1.5.11: EU executive may allow members to reinstate border checks http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15042826,00.html

EUObserver, 2.5.11: Barroso moots return of internal EU borders http://euobserver.com/9/32247

EurActiv, 2.5.11: Brussels readies plans to reinstate border checks http://www.euractiv.com/justice/brussels-readies-plans-reinstate-news-504430

EurActiv, 5.5.11: France-Italy border row divides EU parties http://www.euractiv.com/future-eu/france-italy-border-row-divides-news-504546

BBC News, 3.5.11: EU warned against changing Schengen deal on borders http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13266402

Dilema Veche, 11.5.11: Schengen scaleback will kill European ideal (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/648271-schengen-scaleback-will-kill-european-ideal

Deutsche Welle, 4.5.11: EU mulls reforms to borderless Schengen zone http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15047264,00.html

European Commission: RAPID: Press Release: IP/11/532: Commission proposes better management of migration to the EU http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/532&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

BBC News, 4.5.11: EU moves to tighten border controls in Schengen zone http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13277695

France24, 4.5.11: EU moves to reinstate border controls http://www.france24.com/en/20110504-schengen-european-union-eu-%20to-consider-reintroduction-of-border-controls%20

EUObserver, 4.5.11: Border checks to be allowed only under strict EU criteria, says commission http://euobserver.com/9/32268

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