The Cost of Non-Schengen: Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs aspects

This study identifies the costs, in economic, social and political terms, of the (temporary) reintroduction of border controls between the Schengen Member States, with a special focus on civil liberties, justice and home affairs aspects. It recommends more concerted action at EU level with a view to returning to a fully functioning Schengen Area.

Regaining inter-Member State and citizen’s’ trust in the EU’s ability to tackle the deficiencies exposed by the refugee crisis should be an immediate priority. More concerted action at EU level is necessary to foster solidarity and cooperation between Member State authorities. Their work should also be supported through EU agencies, such as the European Border and Coast Guard, Europol, Eurojust and the European Asylum Support Office.

The need for changes to the current Schengen governance framework should be further considered based on compliance with the conditions allowing five Member States to maintain their internal border controls until November 2016.

• Primary Source

European Parliament: Directorate-General for Internal Policies of the Union: Publications available via the EU Bookshop http://bookshop.europa.eu/en/directorate-general-for-internal-policies-of-the-union-cbf.cKABstF7wAAAEjwYYY4e5K/

European Parliament: European Parliamentary Research Service: Study, September 2016: The Cost of Non-Schengen: Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs aspects http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/IDAN/2016/581387/EPRS_IDA(2016)581387_EN.pdf

ESO: Background information: In defence of open borders: Why Schengen remains valuable to European countries – including the UK http://www.europeansources.info/record/in-defence-of-open-borders-why-schengen-remains-valuable-to-european-countries-including-the-uk/

ESO: Background information: Cost of Non-Schengen: The Impact of Border Controls within Schengen on the Single Market http://www.europeansources.info/record/cost-of-non-schengen-the-impact-of-border-controls-within-schengen-on-the-single-market/

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

ESO: Background information: Schengen area: Update and state of play, March 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/schengen-area-update-and-state-of-play-march-2016/

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