The report by French MEP Sylvie Guillaume (S&D) on the reform of the Schengen Borders Code could be put to the vote on 13 April in the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, according to the timetable envisaged at this stage and desired by the rapporteur.
According to this logic, a vote on Ms Guillaume’s report should take place in the European Parliament plenary in May, which would give the negotiators from the European Parliament and the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council about a month to start negotiations.
In November, the MEP presented a report (see EUROPE 13065/2) that was received with mixed reactions by the other political groups in the European Parliament, in particular the EPP and Renew Europe groups, which were opposed to the deletion of the reference to the instrumentalisation of migration or to the withdrawal, also suggested by the rapporteur, of article 23-a of the regulation allowing internal returns of migrants and asylum seekers between Member States in order to combat secondary movements.
Her report also proposed shortening the periods for re-establishing internal border controls in the Schengen area.
Not surprisingly, these are the most difficult issues to resolve. “A more balanced approach, closer to the Commission’s proposals, must be achieved”, says a parliamentary source, especially on article 23-a, which several groups claim has advantages.
In any case, the European Parliament should not “delay” in adopting its mandate, while the EU Council has adopted its position in June 2022, the source adds (see EUROPE 12969/2).
A further technical meeting will take place on 28 February and a meeting between shadow rapporteurs on 8 March. EUROPE will continue to follow this story. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)