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EU: Member States give themselves the power to close internal borders in the Schengen area for up to 30 days in the event of a serious threat to internal security

09 June 2012

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EU: SCHENGEN: Hawkish step on EU borders outrages MEPs (euobserver, link)

EU countries have given themselves more freedom to block passport-free travel, causing outrage among MEPs. Member states can close their borders for up to 30 days if there is a serious threat to internal security (such as major sporting events), up to 10 days in urgent cases (terrorist attacks) and up to six months if persistent problems exist at external borders.

EP hits out over tactic to exclude MEPs from Schengen decision (europarl, link)

The EP has summoned the Danish Presidency to an emergency debate in plenary next week to explain why member states resorted to judicial sleight of hand to sideline MEPs from an initiative affecting the Schengen area of visa-free travel within the EU. The Council decision means there will be no independent scrutiny of border controls by EU institutions. The EP is currently considering all legal options.

- Danish Presidency response: Fact Sheet on the Legal Basis of the Schengen Evaluation Mechanism (link)
- Letter to MEPs explaining the decision (pdf)

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