Brussels, 12/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - The member states reached agreement “in an uncontroversial and difficulty-free debate”, in the words of European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker after the meeting, on Thursday 12 February, on a range of measures to prevent terrorist attacks in the EU, including rapid implementation of European PNR plans and strengthening of controls at the EU's external borders.
On this latter issue, the heads of state and/or government agreed immediately to proceed “without delay” to systematic and coordinated checks on European nationals suspected of presenting a risk based on common risk indicators. The Commission was asked rapidly to bring forward operation guidelines for this task, which member states may currently undertake, though not on a permanent basis.
The member states “will also consider a targeted amendment to the Schengen Borders Code where necessary to provide for permanent checks, based on a proposal by the Commission”, says the final statement.
This inclusion was welcomed by France which worked hard for this targeted revision of the Schengen borders code, however, the form of words perhaps indicates a certain reticence among France's partners and, first and foremost, from the European Commission. Jean-Claude Juncker said that “Schengen is part of the solution not of the problem” and he gave assurances that the full potential of Schengen would be used “without adding new rules”. The Commission has hitherto been reluctant to become involved in any legislative revision.
EU leaders also sought to pile pressure on the European Parliament over the European PNR, without making any further concessions in the on-going reform of personal data protection rules. At most, they noted, they would provide the European PNR with robust data protection mechanisms. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on her arrival in Brussels that the Parliament resolution on this matter, adopted on 11 February, is “important”. European Parliament President Martin Schulz stated that his institution was now ready to make progress and, while the Commission is not being asked to amend its 2011 text, “it is being asked to prepare a sort of report on the impact of the Court of Justice ruling (of April 2014) on the European PNR”. This report could be taken up by the Parliament in the form of amendments, he said.
For the remainder, the heads of state and/or government agreed to improve the exchange of information among themselves and among the competent agencies (Europol, Eurojust) to quickly implement the money-laundering directive, to swiftly adopt the network and information security directive and, in line with national constitutions, to put measures in place domestically to remove radical content on the internet. Externally, cooperation with third countries, particularly the countries neighbouring Syria and Libya, must be strengthened. (Solenn Paulic with AN, JK, EH, EL, IL, MD)