Brussels, 26/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - In an opinion adopted on 26 May, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) said that although the EU's external border management is an urgent matter, this should not be carried out to the detriment of fundamental rights, particularly those pertaining to asylum and free movement in the EU.
The EESC is opposed to the introduction of systematic controls for European citizens at the EU's external borders, despite the decision of the Council of the EU in favour of this approach made last March. In a press release, however, the EESC did express support for the Commission proposal to strengthen Frontex and create a European Border Guard. It also believes that the proposal on systematic controls would "dramatically affect the fundamental right to free movement". The EESC believes that they should simply consolidate application of current Schengen rules and manage borders jointly between the EU and member states.
"This new form of border management must go hand in hand with a transformation of the Frontex agency into a "European Border Guard", which is exactly what was proposed by the European Commission in December and endorsed by Ministers in March. It added "This agency should have the right to intervene - upon Commission decision - in case of emergencies. The EESC proposes to strictly limit this intervention right to well-defined emergencies and to frame them with a duty to report and inform the European Parliament and Council of the EU". This is also what the Commission and the Council agreed, although the Council wanted to be able to make the decision itself on intervention.
Giuseppe Iuliano (Workers Group, Italy), rapporteur on the EESC opinion said that "The European Border Guard should be empowered to effectively manage the EU border and support Member States dealing with overwhelming migration pressure. In return, the Agency should be governed in a transparent manner and there should be more accountability to the EU Member States and citizens". The Border Guard must be akin to a civilian police force, not a military force, adds the EESC in its opinion. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)