Migrant crisis: EU plans to treble spending on border defence

[webfact]

Migrant crisis: EU plans to treble spending on border defence



"We must make sure that this new coastguard will respect human rights... We must make sure that cooperation with third countries will not run against the legitimate interest of member states"

BRUSSELS: -- The EU plans to treble spending on border defence, as it grapples with the migrant crisis.

More than 300 million euros would be ploughed into a new European Border and Coast Guard by 2020, under plans officially unveiled in Strasbourg.

If governments approve it, the body would replace the existing Frontex agency and have expanded powers.

The new force would have a 15-hundred strong rapid reaction team on standby.

Controversially, it could intervene in a country without its permission.

“Basically, where deficiencies persist and national action is not taken, the Commission, in cooperation with member states, will be able to adopt a decision determining that the situation at a particular section of external borders requires urgent action,” said Dimitris Avramopoulos, EU Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs.

However, EU officials have stressed that national governments would be able to block intervention if a majority of them were against.

It seems Greece needs some reassurance about the proposals.

“We must make sure that this new coastguard will respect human rights,” said Kostas Chrysogonos, a Greek far-left MEP.

“And second we must make sure that cooperation with third countries will not run against the legitimate interest of member states, especially as far as their territorial integrity is concerned.”

Another MEP, from Italy’s governing centre-left, does not think the plans go far enough.

“The position of Italy will, I think, be a positive evaluation of the proposal. I’d say we have everything to gain, if this becomes a problem of the whole of Europe,” said Patrizia Toia.

“But if you only realise ONE piece of an immigration policy, it creates more contradictions than solutions.

“We have to bring together reception, relocation and everything.”

The migration crisis has fuelled demand for more co-ordinated control of Europe’s borders, with the bloc’s security and passport-free area under threat.


-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2015-12-16

[Pimay1]

They should send the bill to Angela Merkel.

[billd766]

The EU will get the money simply by taxing ALL member countries more.

quote "The new force would have a 15-hundred strong rapid reaction team on standby.

Controversially, it could intervene in a country without its permission."

That would give the EU (Germany) the right to invade ANY country it wishes quite legally.

[wabothai]

The EU will get the money simply by taxing ALL member countries more.

quote "The new force would have a 15-hundred strong rapid reaction team on standby.

Controversially, it could intervene in a country without its permission."

That would give the EU (Germany) the right to invade ANY country it wishes quite legally.

I do not think so Mr. Bild.

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

the oil companies, halliburton and all other companies that profited, and paid the Bush admin to create the war based on lies that destabilized the middle east should foot the bill to to resettle the refugees, and pay for all damages caused by ISIS.

It's time that politicians are held criminally responsible for the bribes they take to pass these biased laws that are leading to the erosion of our society.

The greedy should not be allowed to get away with these obscenities!!!!

Politicians are elected to represent their constituents, not big business.

[JetsetBkk]

I don't get it. The EU is letting people in by the thousands across land borders and they want to strengthen the coast guard?

[Mr Moo]

Coincidence? Days after the National Front in France polls over 6,000,000 votes and similar sentiments showing through in most West European countries they finally decide to listen to the so called "Far Right" !!!

[mpa]

I don't get it. The EU is letting people in by the thousands across land borders and they want to strengthen the coast guard?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/refugee-crisis-six-charts-that-show-where-refugees-are-coming-from-where-they-are-going-and-how-they-10482415.html

[JetsetBkk]

I don't get it. The EU is letting people in by the thousands across land borders and they want to strengthen the coast guard?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/refugee-crisis-six-charts-that-show-where-refugees-are-coming-from-where-they-are-going-and-how-they-10482415.html

I see in that article they still refer to the dead kid on the beach and ask "If these extraordinarily powerful images of a dead Syrian child washed up on a beach don't change Europe's attitude to refugees, what will?".

Why don't they talk about the father of the dead kid and his sister in Canada who decided they should take this dangerous journey just so he, the father, could get his damned front teeth fixed.

[Richard W]

I don't get it. The EU is letting people in by the thousands across land borders and they want to strengthen the coast guard?

Schengen is like the Euro - all countries have to work together to maintain the system. This provides a mechanism for richer countries to intervene when poorer countries can't or won't act.

However, as some people are restricted to a single country within Schengen, some form of internal border control is required. One could do what the Common Travel Area of the British Isles does, which is to have patrols near the borders checking for illegal immigrants - some of whom turn out to be unaware that they shouldn't cross the ill-marked border. Unfortunately, this can become oppressive - 'papers please!' - to the point at which just policing borders is less oppressive.

This is another case where the British opt-out is a good precedent for the whole of the EU. Unlike the Euro, the borderlessness of Schengen can be 'temporarily' opted out of. Some countries even review Schengen visas granted by other countries - entering France on a tourist visa issued by Greece raises eyebrows, and the appropriateness of the visa may be challenged. However, national borders aren't necessarily the best places to enforce immigration controls.