EU changes rules of Schengen zone

The leaders of the EU member states have agreed on changes and improvements to the Schengen Borders Code to strengthen checks on people crossing the external borders of the EU. 

At their meeting the leaders agreed to "use Schengen to strengthen and modernize controls at the external borders of the EU." 

"We have agreed to immediately begin a systematic and coordinated inspection of persons, enjoying the right of free movement, on databases related to the fight against terrorism," the leaders declared, adding that such checks should be based on "common indicators of threats."T

he communique reported that the European Commission must quickly release the operational guidelines for this.

"We also consider the change point of the Schengen Borders Code, where it is necessary to perform real-time checks, based on the proposals of the Commission," RIA Novosti cited the text of the statement.