Schengen Area

EU internal memo for 2-year Schengen exit where EU border is at risk (read leaked memo)

An internal memo dated December 1 from the presidency of the council of the Euroepan Union to the EU Permanent Representatives Committee, titled “Integrity of the Schengen area”, outlines a 2-year EU plan for an exit from the Schengen area for member states such as Greece who cannot adequately safeguard EU borders.

Pressure on Greece increases as country is threatened with Schengen suspension

Greece could be faced with a suspension from the free movement in the Schengen area. EU interior ministers are meeting in Brussels on Thursday to discuss the refugee crisis. They are expected to ask fro more measures from Greece to control the flow of refugees to Europe, improve registration and set up cooperation with the EU.

Mouzalas: The blame game towards Greece on refugee issue is unfair

Greece hit back at threats from some EU states to suspend it from the Schengen area because of its failure to guard its borders and control large numbers of migrants entering Europe, Reuters say.

Greek Migration Minister Yannis Mouzalas talked about the issue following Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s statements on excluding Greece from Schengen area.

Europe insists on having Frontex guarding Greece’s sea borders

European partners are frustrated that Greece has been slow to accept offers of help from the border agency, Frontex, to better guard its sea border, since, as they say, Greece has failed to do so effectively. The offer is particularly sensitive in Greece because of concerns over its national sovereignty.

Slovak PM: Greece should exit Schengen Area

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that the best way to limit the refugee flow is to expulse Greece from the Schengen Area, according to Slovak media.

Mr. Fico claimed that Greece has no place in the Schengen Area and everyone is convinced about that. Asked, however, on whether this is discussed officially, he responded negatively.

Bulgarian Deputy PM: Schengen Area Has to be Consolidated

According to Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister Meglena Kuneva, at present the Schengen Area was in such a state that there were two possible outcomes.

In her words, the borderless area could be either consolidated or else it would disappear, she said in an interview for private bTV station on Tuesday.

Turkey Gets EUR 3 B, Visa Waiver to Deter EU-Bound Migrants

Turkey is to get some EUR 3 B in funding, visa liberalization with the EU, and the prospect of having membership talks renewed, EU and Turkish leaders have decided at a Sunday summit.

In return, Ankara will have to stem the flow of migrants trying to cross from its borders into neighboring Southeastern European countries.

EU strikes deal with Turkey to stem migration flow – read statement

EU leaders struck a deal with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu at the EU Council in Brussels on Sunday where Turkey will help stem the flow of migrants to Europe in return for cash, visas and renewed EU entry talks. Davutoglu called the deal that was hammered out by diplomats in the previous weeks a “new beginning”.

EU Commission President Says Schengen Is "Partly Comatose"

In a speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, warned that the Schengen Area is ''partly comatose''.

Juncker added that an eventual collapse of the Schengen Area might have negative political consequences for the EU, including the Euro.

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