The EU postpones the establishment of the border control system. Some member states are not ready to apply the structure until November 10

2024-10-12 11:04:31Biznes SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

The EU postpones the establishment of the border control system. Some member

The European Commission has decided to postpone the introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES), which is the automated block register for short-stay travelers that was expected to come into force on 10 November.

The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Internal Affairs, Ylva Johansson, at the end of the meeting of EU interior ministers, where the issue was discussed.

"November 10 is no longer an option," Johansson told reporters, noting that Germany, France and the Netherlands were unprepared to apply the system. She said that at the moment there is no new deadline.

Johannson spoke of "some concerns when it comes to the sustainability of the system." According to her, the European Union can introduce the EES in several stages, "with a step-by-step entry into the system, not all border crossing points at the same time." However, this approach is not envisaged in the current regulation and would require changes to the legal text to implement it.

The EES is a comprehensive reform that dates back to 2016 and has been repeatedly delayed. The main aim of the structure is to modernize checks at the EU's external borders and replace the traditional physical stamping of passports. It will apply to non-EU citizens coming to the bloc for visits, holidays or business trips and staying for a total duration of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Once the system is up and running, visitors will need to provide their passports on arrival, along with taking a facial photo and electronic fingerprint scan. All entries and exits from the Schengen Area without a passport will be registered.

Biometric data collection and real-time information sharing are intended to help authorities detect short-term visa overstayers and identity fraud.

All member states, except Cyprus and Ireland, and four Schengen associated countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, will participate in the scheme. While passports in Cyprus and Ireland will continue to be stamped manually.


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