European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
external border of the EU
Pushbacks at the EU’s external borders
In recent years, the migration policy of the European Union (EU) has focused on strict border controls and the externalisation of migration management through cooperation with third countries. Continue reading
Search and rescue in the Mediterranean [Policy Podcast]
International law imposes an obligation to render assistance to persons and ships in distress at sea, which must be provided regardless of the persons’ nationality or status or the circumstances in which they are found. Continue reading
Screening of third-country nationals at the EU external borders [EU Legislation in Progress]
In September 2020, the Commission put forward a new pact on migration and asylum, setting out a comprehensive approach to European Union (EU) migration policies that links external borders, asylum, return systems, the Schengen area of free movement and the external dimension of migration. Continue reading
Reforming asylum and migration management: A shift towards greater solidarity? [EU Legislation in Progress]
In September 2020, the European Commission submitted a proposal on asylum and migration management, to replace the 2013 Dublin Regulation that determines the EU Member State responsible for examining asylum applications. Continue reading
Citizens’ enquiries on the situation at the EU’s external borders with Turkey following a large attempted influx of migrants
The President of the European Parliament has received a large number of messages calling on the EU to adopt a clear and humane migration and external border policy. Continue reading
Temporary border controls in the Schengen area
Free movement across internal borders is one of the EU’s most important achievements, with important benefits for EU citizens. The Schengen Borders Code (or Schengen Code) specifies the conditions under which Member States can introduce temporary checks at their internal borders in cases of serious threats to public policy or internal security. Continue reading
European borders [What Think Tanks are thinking]
The European Union is a community of law, with the rule of law being a basic value since the Union’s inception. The President-elect of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has confirmed a strong commitment to uphold the rule of law, which remains a shared responsibility for all EU institutions and all Member States. Continue reading
EU policies – Delivering for citizens: Protection of EU external borders [Policy Podcast]
The unprecedented arrival of refugees and irregular migrants in the EU, which peaked in 2015, exposed a series of deficiencies and gaps in EU policies on external borders. Continue reading
Interoperability between EU border and security information systems [EU Legislation in Progress]
To strengthen EU external border management and enhance internal security, the European Commission has made several proposals to upgrade and expand European border and security information systems. Continue reading
EU asylum, borders and external cooperation on migration: Recent developments
The unprecedented arrival of refugees and irregular migrants in the EU, which peaked in 2015, exposed a series of deficiencies and gaps in EU policies on asylum, external borders and migration. Continue reading
Mapping the Cost of Non-Europe, 2014-19 – Fourth edition
This paper embodies work-in-progress on a long-term project being undertaken by the European Parliament’s European Added Value Unit, in conjunction with the office of the Secretary-General, to try to identify and analyse the ‘cost of non-Europe’ in certain policy fields. Continue reading
European information systems in the area of justice and home affairs: An overview
Written by Costica Dumbrava, High levels of irregular migration and the increase in transnational terrorist activities have pushed the EU to take concerted measures to strengthen its external borders and to enhance internal security. The revision and development of information systems for border management and law enforcement has been a key aspect of this response. … Continue reading
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