EU Officials ‘Informally Agree’ Mandatory Checks on EU External Borders

EU and third-country citizens will be checked against EU-wide databases to prevent terrorists from entering, under a draft law that was agreed informally on Monday by EU ministers and European Parliament members.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The databases to be used include the Schengen Information System, the Interpol database on stolen and lost travel documents, and other European databases.

"Crises such as the terrorist threat require a rapid and coordinated crisis response. Securing the external borders of the EU can stop the movement of terrorists, weapons and substances of mass destruction. We must do our outmost," rapporteur Monica Macovei was quoted in the Parliament’s statement as saying.

The proposal to introduce mandatory checks came in response to the rise in terror-related threats across Europe after Paris and Brussels attacks. It aims to stop foreign fighters, many of whom the European Parliament says are EU citizens.

The informal deal will be put to a confirmation vote in the Civil Liberties Committee. If approved, it will be voted on by the European Parliament as a whole as well as by the Council of Ministers.