Amendments could be made to the Schengen Code soon, the official representative for the EC on internal policies and migration Natasha Bertaud said.
‘‘The Schengen Borders Code was revised several times in order to make it more reliable. We got an opportunity to regain control in exceptional circumstances. For example, terrorist attacks and so on. You can never exclude what changes may be required in future. But the principle remains the same,’’ RIA Novosti cites her.
Bertaud reminded that the changes introduced in 2013 allowed the member states to establish border controls in advance of planned situations, as Germany did on threshold of the G7 summit, or in emergency cases, such as in the case of a terrorist attack.
"But then it is necessary to inform the Commission afterwards. The control should be proportionate and limited in time, usually thirty days," the representative of the EC said.
Based on the current migration situation in Europe, it can be assumed that the EU authorities may decide in favor of restrictions of immigration legislation and the introduction of border patrols, a senior fellow at the Center for European Studies (University), Foreign Minister Vladimir Olenchenko said in an interview with a correspondent of Vestnik Kavkaza.
"The situation is now overstrained. The number of migrants that are mentioned in the media are record-breaking. But the majority of migrants settle in Germany. And the matter of a possible revision of the Schengen agreements didn’t arise today. That was one and a half, or even two months ago. The Minister of Economy and Minister of Justice of Germany didn't take any measures. Britain hasn’t joined the Schengen Zone, but they also have difficulties with migrants. During Sarkozy's presidency the issue was discussed that France needs to set some controls," he said.
"So it cannot be called a revolution,’’ the expert said.
According to the Center for European Studies, Europe prefers to take control at the borders, at least in the form of patrols. "It is likely that the changes will affect the tightening of border crossings, as now the borders between the member states of the Schengen Zone are symbolic. It is more likely to be decided in favor of the introduction of controls. Perhaps the borders won’t be restored in full measure, but patrols will be introduced by the forces of the countries. The patrols will check documents, and if these documents are invalid, these patrols won’t allow migrants to cross borders," Vladimir Olenchenko said.
The Director of the Institute of Strategic Planning and Forecasting, Professor Alexander Gusev, described the situation of migrants in Europe as critical.
