Brussels, 13/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - Gathered in Molde (west coast Norway), on 12 May, the Heads of government for Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and Iceland stated their reticence, even hostility, towards the plan to create a European Border Control Guard put forward last week by Commissioner Antonio Vitorino (see EUROPE of 8 and 11 May), indicated Agence France Press. Let us recall that the aim of this proposal is to strengthen the external borders of the present EU, but also those of an enlarged Europe.
The Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said, according to AFP, that he was not favourable towards a European Border Control Guard, while feeling that it is necessary to strengthen border controls in the EU. The Norwegian Kjelle Magne Bondevik, felt that it is more effective to leave the Member States to control their own borders, even if there is a potential for enhanced co-operation. He too a partisan for increased co-operation in this area, the Finnish Prime minister Paavo Lipponen found that it is too early to rule on the possible creation of a European Border Control Guard. The Swede Goran Persson and the Icelander David Odsson made no comment. Let us note that, while only three of the five Nordic countries present in Molde - Sweden, Denmark and Finland - are members of the EU, the Commission proposal also could affect Norway and Iceland, who are signatories of the Schengen Agreement on the free movement of persons.
On the Commission side, Leonello Gabrici, spokesperson for Antonio Vitorino, indicated that the Commission was satisfied that these countries are in agreement on the principal of a short-term strengthening of EU external border controls. Adding that the Commission is also studying the possibility of creating in the longer-term a European Border Control Guard (a special guard that will strengthen the national actions by the Member States), the spokesperson recalled that Italy will publish at the end of the month a study on the establishment of such a guard and that it will then be for the Member States to decide if yes or no they desire to move forward in this field.