Border Cooperation in Europe New challenges Rick Weijermans Migration Management: Sharing Expieriences between Europe and Thailand Bangkok, 13-14 June 2012 Head of External Relations/ Third Country Team
Content Integrated Border Mangement Current & Future solutions in the EU Role of Frontex in Research and Development EUROSUR Development New Tasks and Challenges
Integrated Border Management Integrated Border Management means ensuring free movement of persons and smooth passenger flows at EU external borders while guaranteeing a high level of security Four-tier access control model Measures in third countries, cooperation with neighbouring countries, border control (checks and surveillance) and control measures within the Schengen area (including return) Embracing new technologies in a coherent and proportional way Stockholm programme (2009-2014) Focus on border checks ABC gates can be used to automate most border check procedures 3
Current & Future solutions in the EU Automated border controls (ABC e-gates) for EU citizens based on e- passport (currently partly non-interoperable pilots) Schengen Information System (SIS1) since 1995; SISII as from 1st quarter 2013 EURODAC (since 15/01/2003) Introduction of the VIS for visa holders using biometrics (since 11/10/2011) EUROSUR: improving situational awareness and reaction capability Smart Borders Package Entry/Exit System for third country nationals with biometrics (operational 2018 at the earliest) Voluntary Registered Traveller programme for third country nationals with biometrics (operational 2018 at the earliest) 4
Objectives of the Entry/Exit System Recording entry and exit details of third country nationals (non-eu citizens) admitted for a short stay (3 months) to the Schengen area. To generate information to apprehend irregular immigrants To generate information that would prevent terrorism and serious criminal activity To generate information on the size and trends of irregular migration, providing the EU and the MS with a reliable policy basis To assist in the identification of undocumented persons and simplify administrative procedures for returning third country nationals to their country of origin; 5
Objectives of the RTP To facilitate the crossing of EU external borders while maintaining a high level of security To promote access to the RTP for certain categories of pre-vetted third country nationals (non-eu citizens) To decrease the time and costs of border crossings for frequent travelers and to increase the throughput capacity of border crossing points To free up border control resources from checking cross-border movements of frequent and pre-vetted travelers and to enable better focus on checking higher-risk travelers 6
Frontex role in Research and Technology Link between R&T providers and end-users European level solutions and harmonization Deeply involved in EU Security Research (FP7) Close collaboration with DG ENTR No involvement in Member States acquisition National competence with possible funding through External Borders Fund Amended regulation opens for acquisition of own equipment: Procuring Co-owning Leasing Analysis of needs and cost-effectiveness 7
Smart borders and Automated Border Control Communication of the European Commission, DG HOME in October 2011 Registered Traveller Programme Entry/Exit System based on biometrics Security Convenience Cost-effectiveness Studies Workshops Common requirements, guidelines and best practices 8
EUROSUR Development (European Surveillance Network) Mechanism for information sharing and cooperation to increase situational awareness and improve reaction capability to: Increase security by preventing cross-border crime; Reduce number of irregular migrants entering undetected; Reduce death toll of migrants at sea; Improved quality and flexibility of operations. 9
EUROSUR (its background) MEDSEA and BORTEC studies in 2006 Development of European Patrols Network (EPN) coordinating patrolling and information sharing between neighbours 10
National Coordination Centre (NCC) All relevant authorities National Situational Picture Reaction capability Frontex Common surveillance means European Situational Picture (ESP) Common Pre-frontier Intelligence Picture (CPIP) Node Node Node Node Node Node Node
EUROSUR EUROSUR enters into force in second half of 2013 Enhanced network Common surveillance tools European Situational Picture (ESP) and Common Pre-frontier Intelligence Picture (CPIP) 12
Current main challenge: Detection & tracking of small boats, used for cross-border crime & irregular migration, causing an unacceptable death toll of migrants at sea. CENTRO DE COORDINACIÓN REGIONAL DE CANARIAS
Other Frontex Reseach intitiatives/contributions IDCHECK - Improving the capability for detection of falsified or counterfeited documents - Helping MS to increase capabilities for systematic check of biometric data; ADVANCE INFORMATION (API/PNR) - Facilitate the decision making on and development of an API-System; ALL EYES - Information on new technological developments in the field of remote sensing and detection technologies to the MS; (Pilot projects, demonstrations) REAL TIME NEWS EVENT EXTRACTION FRAMEWORK - Extraction of information on bordee security related events at EU External Borders and in tird countries from online sources. (2500 news feeds in 8 languages/eurosur compatible) 14
Conclusions Frontex supports a high and uniform level of European Border Management Two major European initiatives: EUROSUR Smart Borders Frontex plays key role in EU Research and Technology in Border Mangement FP7 research on border security Harmonization Technology demonstrations 15
Thank You for Your Attention Rick Weijermans External Relations Officer e-mail: Rick.weijermans@frontex.europa.eu