Schengen: MEPs ready for negotiations on temporary checks at national borders

The Schengen Borders Code, currently under revision, allows member states to carry out temporary passport or identity card controls at internal borders within the Schengen area, in the event of a serious threat to public order or to internal security. Parliament and Council negotiators started the talks on the revision of the rules earlier this year, but decided to suspend the negotiations after it became evident that a compromise was not feasible. In a vote on Tuesday, Civil Liberties Committee MEPs gave a green light, by 43 votes in favour, 12 against and 11 abstentions, to resuming the talks and endorsed the composition of the Parliament’s negotiating team. Before the negotiations can start, Plenary will need to give its support to the talks. Civil Liberties MEPs confirmed that they want to reduce the initial period for border controls from six months (as is currently the case) to two months, and to limit any extension to a maximum period of one year, rather than the current maximum limit of two years. More information about the Parliament’s position can be found here. Background Austria, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway currently have internal border checks in place due to the exceptional circumstances resulting from the migratory crisis that started in 2015. In addition, France has internal border checks in place because of a persistent terrorist threat.