Aiesha Anchan

France

Council of the European Union

Border Control in the Age of Terrorism

As of November 1st, 2017, France has reintroduced temporary border controls - a capability given by the Schengen Border Codes that allows member states to reinstate internal border control in the context of foreseeable events (1). Until April 30th, 2018, France will continue to maintain internal border security measures on the grounds of persistent terrorist threats and the increase in violence amongst ethnic groups and migrant cities. Major port cities, such as Calais, have experienced security issues with the rise of illegal migration across France-UK borders (2). Alongside the UK, the two countries have been working towards supporting security infrastructure, an attempt to reduce the violence against migrants and reduce the risk of terrorist movement across the Schengen borders. France and Germany have called for the reintroduction of border controls within the passport free zones for a proposed four years in the face of the continuing threat of terrorism (3). A proposal backed by Austria, Denmark, and Norway, elaborates that these circumstances should allow member state to extend the reintroduction of internal border control period for more than 2 years, with France reimposing controls since the November 2015 Charlie Hebdo attacks. Even in the face of the migration crisis, the increase in terrorist activity is an justifiable reason for delegating the border controls to the hands of the individual countries, given that the current limits do not match the needs of the individual nations in the context of long term security (3). The suspension of the Schengen zone in these circumstances would allow for governments to introduce frontier controls in the lengths of years rather than the current 6 months. Many countries agree that the checks for internal security must change after more than a million migrants illegally entered Europe in the last two years (4). Countries have limited abilities in checking citizens who enter and exit through their borders. The current EU rules about the limits of internal border control are a serious threat to public security as the EU has faced a time of crisis amid fears of terrorism. Moreover, countries such as Germany, agree that the right to suspend the EU’s passport-free travel zone for up to four years is a government’s right (5). National security officials have highlighted the ease of travel across borders, the use of fake documents are a weakness in the Schengen system and were a significant factor in the Paris attacks and the suicide bombings of Brussels (5).

In this current state, it is difficult to find a balance between the freedom of movement and security. The numerous demands to reintroduce border security threatens the existence of the Schengen area and the free movement across the Union. With the reimplementation of border security, the increased need to provide identification and paperwork to cross borders does not inhibit this freedom nor does it have negative implications in business and economics (6). The long term management of terrorism within EU borders and security of both citizens and tourists should be a greater priority to officials over the ability to freely travel across borders. There is a need for the understanding that any move to temporarily introduce border security or suspend the Schengen agreement would not threaten the freedom of movement for citizens and tourists. The increased security as a result of border security would allow individuals to feel safer as they travel, spurring greater profit from tourist activities and business security. Details regarding the paperwork and identifications need to cross internal borders can be further discussed. A consensus is needed on how countries wish to pursue their internal border security issues. It is understandable that certain countries wish to keep their borders open, however, France will continue to patrol their borders and will require identification for any travel into their borders.

France greatly supports endeavors which allow for individual governments to have a say in the extent to which they require internal border control. The delegation holds the belief that a standard border control measure does not meet the demands of each nation, thus making most provisions of the Schengen agreement void. The best course of action is to maintain certain aspects of the Schengen agreement, including the ability to increase and decrease the level of security at internal borders, albeit facets that limit the period of time which the security measures can stand, hinder the capabilities of countries to protect their citizens. These alterations to the Schengen Agreement do not serve to disregard the EU’s open border policy; given these circumstances it is best to uphold national security and allocate measures towards lowering the threats of terrorism than it is maintain the Schengen area with its dangerously neglected border control. Readdressing the Schengen Agreement and its bearings will be landmark steps in the EU’s ability to combat terrorism. The French delegation will continue to move forward with their attempts to maintain their internal border securities with the main concern of the nation being national security and the safety of their citizens.

Sources:

  1. Archer, J. (2017, September 14). France and Germany want power to close open borders for up to four years over migration and terror fears. Retrieved March 04, 2018, from
  2. Calais migrants: How is the UK-France border policed? (2016, March 03). Retrieved March 04, 2018, from
  3. Henley, J. (2017, September 15). Extend border controls to counter terror threat, say France and Germany. Retrieved March 04, 2018, from
  4. Schengen: finding the balance between security and freedom of movement. (n.d.). Retrieved March 04, 2018, from
  5. A. (2016, December 06). Temporary Reintroduction of Border Control. Retrieved March 04, 2018, from
  6. Waterfield, B. B. (2017, September 15). France and Germany want right to pause free movement 'for years' over terror and migration fears. Retrieved March 04, 2018, from