Adoption of proposed regulation amending the Schengen Borders Code

The Council of the European Union formally adopted on 7 March 2017 a legislative proposal amending the Schengen Borders Code (SBC). Its aim is to reinforce checks against relevant databases at the external borders.

The draft law includes systematic checks against databases for all EU citizens and third country nationals entering or leaving the European Union. The rule change was a response to terrorist threats in Europe and the phenomenon of 'foreign fighters'.

The proposal was put forward by the European Commission in December 2015, following a recommendation in the aftermath of a major terrorist incident on European soil. An informal agreement between the Council and the European Parliament on this document was reached in December 2016. The latter formally endorsed it in February 2017.

• Primary Source

EurActiv, 07.04.17: EU starts systematic checks at external borders today http://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/eu-starts-systematic-checks-at-external-borders-today/

EurActiv, 10.04.17: Slovenia says tougher EU border checks ‘unacceptable’ http://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/slovenia-says-tougher-eu-border-checks-unacceptable/

Euronews, 07.04.17: Frustration as tightened EU border checks begin http://www.euronews.com/2017/04/07/frustration-as-tightened-eu-border-checks-begin

EUObserver, 07.04.17: EU starts border checks on everyone https://euobserver.com/justice/137530

Politico, 06.04.17: Tighter security checks could cause longer waits on Schengen borders http://www.politico.eu/article/tighter-security-checks-could-cause-longer-waits-on-schengen-borders/

Deutsche Welle, 06.04.17: EU to toughen up external border security in its fight against terrorism http://p.dw.com/p/2apc5

EUObserver, 11.04.17: EU scrambles meeting over border chaos https://euobserver.com/justice/137567

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