EU boosts Schengen reforms
(VOVWORLD) - The European Commission on Tuesday presented plans to reinforce the 26-nation open-border Schengen zone in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, security threats, and the movement of migrants.
 A passenger scans the code of the COVID-19 vaccination certificate at Liege airport, Belgium. (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
The Commissions's proposals will go to the European Parliament and to member states for their response.
EC Vice President Margaritis Schinas told media that the plans need to be implemented to help member states cope with the refugee crisis, the spate of terrorist attacks in Europe, and the coronavirus pandemic.
In response to the COVID crisis, the EC wants the European Council to be able to quickly impose temporary travel restrictions on the external borders of the Schengen zone, which includes 22 EU countries, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
New rules will allow a common response at the zone's internal borders where most member states face a threat - whether a health or a security alert.