Recast “in depth” the rules governing the Schengen area as well as the European migration pact: such has been Emmanuel Macron’s ambition since France took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for six months. The Head of State will present his proposals after a meeting with the Ministers of the Interior of the Member States of the EU, in Tourcoing (North). Follow our live.
“Schengen is dead”. Created in 1995 to allow European citizens to move freely without passports or controls within the Union, the Schengen area now covers 26 countries. But for many years, it has been regularly questioned. In question, the waves of migration as well as the attacks that hit Europe. Emmanuel Macron who considers that Schengen “is dead”, wants to create a governance council for the Schengen area and strengthen Frontex, the European agency for the surveillance of external borders. The president should also propose the establishment of a biometric file common to all countries in order to better monitor who enters and leaves Europe.
Fight against “the instrumentalization of migrants”. The recent crisis between Poland and Belarus has revealed how migration has become a veritable geopolitical weapon. Emmanuel Macron says he wants a Europe “capable of controlling its borders”, spot mobile checks as well as“an emergency border support mechanism in the event of a crisis”.
More solidarity. France wishes to establish a “solidarity mechanism” by which EU countries would undertake to distribute migrants among themselves, in particular after rescues at sea, or at least to contribute financially to their reception. A request refused so far by the countries of the East. Emmanuel Macron also wants a common European strategy to push the countries of origin to take back their nationals who entered Europe illegally.
A very political issue. If Emmanuel Macron has not yet formalized his candidacy for the presidential election, this visit to Hauts-de-France nevertheless has the air of a campaign. The announcements on immigration at European level of the future candidate will therefore be particularly scrutinized.