On Wednesday 9 October in Strasbourg, MEPs asked the Commission to explain what it has done over the last five years to strengthen the EU’s external borders, but they were divided on its record and on the new avenues envisaged, such as tripling the number of staff at the Frontex agency, as announced by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
During this debate, requested by the EPP on the eve of the meeting of EU interior ministers in Luxembourg (see other news), Vice-President Margarítis Schinás listed the reforms adopted, including the new Schengen Borders Code, which will make it possible to respond to new challenges such as hybrid threats linked to the instrumentalisation of migration, the new Pact on Migration and Asylum’ and its legislation on the ‘screening’ of migrants at external borders, and new systems such as Entry/Exit (for travellers). He also praised the “good results” of the agreements signed with Tunisia and Egypt, which have helped to reduce arrivals in the central Mediterranean, and gave a positive assessment of the dialogue with Libya.
He announced as well the intensification of cooperation with Mauritania and Senegal.
Our external borders will be “places where our regulatory force will be visible”, he said, also recalling the “unprecedented” financial aid provided to the Member States in recent years and to the Frontex agency, which has been able to obtain additional equipment and is now involved in 19 operations.
Sweden’s Tomas Tobé (EPP) stressed that the EU “must regain full control of its borders” and ensure “full implementation of the Pact” and EU funding for border management infrastructure.
He accused the left-wing groups of delaying efforts by not wanting to “differentiate between those who are entitled to asylum” and those who are not. He also accused them of being against border controls and anything that might help to manage migration. The far right is no more constructive on these issues of migration management because of its “aversion” to the EU, he said.
Italy’s Cecilia Strada (S&D), for her part, claimed that the policies pursued by Europeans to date have only led to tragedies and deaths in the Mediterranean. “We should be drowning in shame, because all we can think about is outsourcing, taking the problem elsewhere”, she said. The Italian also denounced the violation of human rights, particularly in the context of agreements with third countries.
Damien Carême (The Left, French) also denounced these “shameful” agreements and said he was against the strengthening of Frontex, which embodies “failure and excesses”. “We need to stop the headlong rush”.
France’s Fabienne Keller (Renew Europe) said she supported the tripling of Frontex’s workforce from 10,000 to 30,000 during the next Multiannual Financial Framework but on condition that the Agency’s governance was strengthened and that it had adequate financial resources.
Patriots for Europe, for their part, deplored the Commission’s persistent refusal to authorise funding for physical and digital infrastructure to prevent people from arriving in the EU. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)