During the plenary session in the European Parliament in Brussels (17-19 June 2020), debate on situation in the Schengen area following the Covid-19 outbreak. Opening statements by Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), rapporteur, Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency and Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs. his transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Brussels

debate

plenary session

Schengen reform package (T)

LÓPEZ AGUILAR, Juan Fernando (S&D, ES)

JOHANSSON, Ylva (SE, EC)

BRNJAC, Nikolina (HR)

Coronavirus outbreak (T)

economic situation in Europe (T)

social life (T)

Situation in the Schengen area following the Covid-19 outbreak: Opening statements by Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), rapporteur, Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency and Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

SOUNDBITE (Original), Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, EP Vice-President, Good afternoon, everybody. Dear colleagues on the agenda. The next item is the oral question to council and commission on the situation in the Schengen area. Following the Covid 19 outbreak, I'd like to recall to all members for this debate there will be no catch. The procedure and no blue cards will be accepted.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, EP Vice-President, The author of the oral question, the chair of the LIBE Committee, Mr. Lopez Aguilar, has the floor.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Juan Fernando L&#211;PEZ AGUILAR, rapporteur, Thank you Mr. President, It's an honour for me to be able to put an oral question on Schengen and we have to be able to talk of Schengen. It's Schengen birthday in Luxembourg.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Juan Fernando L&Oacute;PEZ AGUILAR, rapporteur, Many years ago, an agreement was signed which was followed by an event, a convention and by European legislation on Shengen, which was adopted by the European Parliament.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Juan Fernando L&Oacute;PEZ AGUILAR, rapporteur, But we need to talk about Schengen primarily because it's not in good health, because Schengen is at stake. Schengen is at stake. That's the issue here for those of us that work in European institutions,.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Juan Fernando L&Oacute;PEZ AGUILAR, rapporteur, We are passing on the words of European citizens. But this doesn't need explaining because everybody knows that this is the most valuable asset of the European Union and the advantages of being European and what we've built.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Juan Fernando L&Oacute;PEZ AGUILAR, rapporteur, Free movement without obstacles, without restrictions, without borders, without discrimination between Europeans. More than 400 million citizens in the European Union benefiting from this.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Juan Fernando L&Oacute;PEZ AGUILAR, rapporteur, But what has happened has been that the Schengen area is regulated by European law, by the Schengen borders code, a regulation directly binding on the member states defending European citizens.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Juan Fernando L&Oacute;PEZ AGUILAR, rapporteur, And that stipulates conditions for the re-establishing of internal borders for public security reasons. But we found ourselves with an unprecedented situation Covid 19. And so the resolution following the oral question is entitled Schengen following Covid 19 Outbreak.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Juan Fernando L&Oacute;PEZ AGUILAR, rapporteur, What is happening with Schengen following Covid? Because the member states rushed to adopt unilateral measures. They weren't coordinated.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Juan Fernando L&Oacute;PEZ AGUILAR, rapporteur, They weren't communicated amongst themselves, re-establishing internal borders in the union, which led to extremely long queues at internal borders over overburdening of police forces.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Juan Fernando L&Oacute;PEZ AGUILAR, rapporteur, Problems in the supply of essential goods. And also for seasonal workers also protected under European law. All of these are issues we have to discuss as a part of the oral question. And that's why I put quite clearly that firstly, whether you consider that the measures and restrictions that were imposed are in line with the Schengen border code.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Juan Fernando L&Oacute;PEZ AGUILAR, rapporteur, Three principles mutual trust, solidarity, but also requirement for the respect of the rule of law. Public security public safety was mentioned on various occasions for the introducing of internal borders against terrorists, for example but public health never.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Juan Fernando L&Oacute;PEZ AGUILAR, rapporteur, We can have the re-establishing of external borders on the grounds of public health, but not internal. Then the second point Schengen recovery. We've got a recovery plan. How can we ensure that Schengen recovers and is fully operational A.S.A.P.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Juan Fernando L&Oacute;PEZ AGUILAR, rapporteur, How can we ensure that checks are exceptional as laid down in the border code and limited in time time framed extremely strictly?

SOUNDBITE (Original), Juan Fernando L&Oacute;PEZ AGUILAR, rapporteur, And then what practical measures can we adopt to ensure coordination and coordinated responsibility, obviously by the commission as the guardian of the treaties and European law?

SOUNDBITE (Original), Juan Fernando L&Oacute;PEZ AGUILAR, rapporteur, When faced with these common challenges, I would ask for a favourable vote for the resolution following the oral question, and I'd like to thank such Schengen Scrutiny Group Daniel chairing for their support.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Juan Fernando L&Oacute;PEZ AGUILAR, rapporteur, But I'd like to recall that the content of the resolution is a message to the commission that we dont have improvisation or a lack of coordination or decisions or measures being taken unilaterally that we dont have actions and reactions between different states and even worth is for having interrupted you.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Juan Fernando L&Oacute;PEZ AGUILAR, rapporteur, But you kept on black lives matter. Was the point being made? Of course they do. And Schengen matters too. Schengen is important. European law matters. European law matters even in times of crisis.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Juan Fernando L&Oacute;PEZ AGUILAR, rapporteur, It must leave European law even throughout the crisis, and learn out of experience. I would add a European. Law matters, especially in times of crisis, especially in times of Covid.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Juan Fernando L&Oacute;PEZ AGUILAR, rapporteur, And that's why after the oral question we're concluding with a resolution that is calling for a full recovery for Schengen, a full recovery in good health. It is the most valuable asset the European Union has ever developed. Thank you, President.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, EP Vice-President, Thank you very much, Mr. Lopez Aguilar, and now on behalf of Council, I'd like to pass the floor to minister Brnjac. You have the floor, madam.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, President. Honourable members over the last few months. European European Union has been faced with the most challenging crisis since its creation. In addition to a very heavy toll on human lives.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, The Covid 19 pandemic has jeopardized certain fundamental elements of the European project, such as the internal market and the freedom of movement.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, I believe you would all agree with me that throughout this most critical period, the absolute priority has understandably been to show to slow down and eventually stop the very rapid spreading of the virus.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, To that effect, many member states have been forced to take legislative and practical measures which had a significant impact on free movement.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, In this context that the reintroduction of internal border controls was considered indispensable even more by some member states, which before the Covid 19 pandemic had been highly sceptical over the application of such measures.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, According to the Schengen border code, the reintroduction and prolongation of temporarily internal border controls as a last resort and in response to a serious threat to public health, can take place at the discretion of the member states.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, Their application is, of course, subject to the fulfilment of the conditions set out in the relevant provisions. Neither the commission, as the guardian of the treaty nor any member state has signalled any issue related to compliance with these conditions.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, Furthermore, I would like to stress that since the outbreak of the pandemic. All member states have been working tirelessly with the political steering of the Council and the coordinating support of the commission in order to mitigate the side effects of the both measures. On the free movement of their citizens.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, A series of commission communications have been implemented by the member states by way of priority to ensure the free flow of essential goods such as food, medicine and personal protection items, as well as the transfer of key for us brought the workers and the repatriation of EU citizens and residents.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, At the same time Member states have applied in a coordinated way. Restrictions on any unnecessary travel towards the EU at the second stage as the overall health situation has started to improve.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, Member states have started easing the measures at the full restoration of the free movement within the European Union. This phasing out entails, in some cases a gradual approach and the replacement of the internal border controls with alternative measures such as the police controls within the territory.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, At the rate Member states with the support of the commission are strongly committed to blank. Any measures still temporary needed in full compliance with the principles of proportionality and non-discrimination?

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, Most member states and Schengen associated countries have lifted internal border controls and related travel restrictions by mid-June. The rest in dentals follow suit to by the end of the month.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, We are aware that there are still many steps to be taken, especially regarding the coherent lifting of the external borders restrictions. The fact that the lifting of the internal borders control in a coordinated way has set been set in motion without major problems, provides ample evidence of the member states' strong appeal to a fully functioning Schengen area.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, I'm hopeful that we can use this positive momentum along with the possible proposals that the aspect from the commission regarding the legal framework for internal border controls to launch a fruitful debate between the two co-legislators on this crucial subject to safeguard the Schengen area.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, And future amendments to the regime governing internal border control needs to be stipulated in a way as to provide credible answers to threats to public order. Internal security and public health.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, They should ensure the strictly necessary and proportionate flexibility for member states and leave no scope for any abuse in their application. Thank you very much for your attention. .

SOUNDBITE (Original), Fabio Massimo CASTALDO, EP Vice-President, Thank you, Minister. Thank you very much. The next speaker is Commissioner Johansson on behalf of the commission. Go ahead.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, President, honourable members. Schengen is one of the major achievement and very much appreciated by our citizens, as was very rightly stressed by all of us. Fernando L&oacute;pez Aguilar, chair of the LIBE Committee.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, I would also say that Schengen passed not only a celebration of 35 years, but also just passed a major test. At no time was Schengen more important than in the last few months.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, All member states took drastic measures to protect our citizens from the virus most shocking and countries introduce temporary internal border controls.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, In addition to other measures restricting free movement across the European Union altogether, these measures helped to save tens of thousands of lives. But as seriously serious consequences for the freedom of movement and a large social and economic cost.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, On the 5th of April, this year, the president of the European Commission and the president, the European Council presented it presented a joint European roadmap towards lifting Covid 19 containment measures.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, In line with the principles established in this roadmap. The commission presented on the set in the May a communication setting out a coordinated, balanced and phased approach for lifting travel restrictions and controls at internal borders.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, In the second stage, this also looked ahead to the ending of restrictions on non-essential travel to the EU through the external borders due to the improvement epidemiological situation.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, By this Monday, most member states had lifted internal border controls and restrictions, including post travel current campaign requirements. The commission has strongly encouraged also the remaining member states to lift internal border controls and restrictions to free movement by air, land and water within the European Union at the same time.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, I expect that all internal border checks will have been lifted by the end of June. Before we start relaxing the external border restrictions, the Schegen rules provide member states with a certain discretion to reintroduce border controls for two or six months at specific border sections or at all their internal borders.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Member states should set up specific authorised border crossing points through bilateral contacts with ministers and my regular video conferences with all the Schengen ministers based on the work at technical level of the Covid 19 information group Home Affairs.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, We could address many issues and solve many problems. Also, regarding the scope of reintroduced border controls in this emergency related to Covid 19, the commission is of the opinion that EU member states and Schengen states complied with the requirements of the Schengen border code since 2015.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Sixth, Schengen states have also reintroduced border controls under the Schengen border code following the recommendation of the Council motivated by extraordinary irregular migration secondary movements the External border situation and terrorist threats.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, These controls has been prolonged and prolonged and prolonged until the end of October mid-November this year. The commission consistently encourage alternatives to border controls, which may assure similar results.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, This concerns police checks, which, as explained in a recommendation on the 12th of May 2017 on proportionate police checks can be carried out also in the border area and as such can replace non systematic border checks in 2017.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, The commission also proposed an Amanda meant to the Schengen governance rules with substantial reinforcement of procedures safeguards to ensure that the reintroduction of border controls are truly only a measure of last resort.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, As you know, the negotiations on these proposals are blocked, but recent experience with the use of border controls to address public health threats, to address public health threats deserves further reflection.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, The commission is committed to lead a process of reflection about the legal, practical steps needed to improve our response and better prepare our societies for similar emergencies. In particular, we have to be able to provide, in case of pandemics, a coherent EU response to internal and external borders.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Currently, the EU can only intervene in case of serious, persistent threats at external borders, putting the overall functioning of the Schengen area at risk.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Covid shows the need for a better anticipation and for simplified or standardised standardised procedures to be followed.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Under the pressure of events, decisions on the temporary reintroduction of border controls should be subject to consultation, including where appropriate joint meetings between the member state concerned and the commission.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, As the experience of the recent months has shown, this provision of the Schengen borders code is rarely used in an emergency situation. The new pact on migration and asylum that I will present soon will be the occasion to launch a process to restore trust between member states and return to fully functioning Schengen area.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, We will reflect on how to ensure coordination among the member states during emergencies in the future and on the future of Schengen and on how to make sure it's a legal framework and implementation are ready for new challenges. Thank you