The EC has a plan to rescue the Schengen area and the estimated cost of its collapse – Onet.pl

The Commission estimates the cost of a large reintroduction of border controls would incur a Polish economy; they could reach half a billion euros.

On Thursday, the European Commission published a “roadmap”, which aims to restore the normal functioning of the Schengen area. Temporary controls at the internal borders, restored by some countries in the face of a wave of migration, have gone to the end of 2016. – The Commission envisages.

Indicates that the temporary border controls introduced, among others, by Germany, Sweden and Denmark, not only hinder the free movement of persons, but also associated with serious economic costs. “The Commission has estimated that the full restoration of border controls in the Schengen area would result in immediate direct costs ranging from 5 to 18 billion euros per year (0.05-0.13 per cent. Of GDP). These costs would focus on specific subjects and regions, but would impact the whole EU economy, “- says the EC.

” the member states such as Poland, the Netherlands and Germany , additional costs associated with road transport of goods, amounting to over 500 million euros “- estimated by the Commission.

it is estimated that entrepreneurs from the Czech Republic and Spain would incur additional costs amounting to 200 million euros. For the 1.7 million workers cross-border controls mean a loss of time, which – according to the European Commission – would cost between 2.5 billion to 4.5 billion. In turn, the administrative costs associated with increased personnel guard could reach at least 1.1 billion euros.

to avoid these costs, the European Commission called on Friday for EU countries to comply with the Schengen rules, including the Dublin system, according to which the asylum application corresponds to the country where the refugee crossed the border of the EU. EU Commissioner. Migration Dimitris Avramopoulos stressed that the need to stop the bleed of immigrants and refugees to another country of the EU. “Member States must accept the person seeking asylum, but refused access to those whose aim is only transit” – said the Commissioner.

He added that the EU needs to strengthen the protection of its external borders. For this purpose, until September of this year must be a shared border guards and coastal. Establishment of a joint guard Commission proposed in December last year. Year, and the Netherlands, which currently chairs the EU, announced that it will try to lead to a decision at the latest in June. The proposal assumes that the guards could intervene in problematic along the border of the EU even without the consent of the host country.

The Commission urged Friday the EU countries that have already begun preparations to establish a common border guard, and coastal and give thought to what personnel resources and material resources it will need.

the most urgent issue is the situation in Greece, which is a country of transit for refugees and immigrants from entering the Greek islands of Turkey and aimed the west and north of Europe. According Awramopulosa after sealing the borders by Macedonia and other Western Balkan countries in northern Greece got stuck more than 10,000 immigrants and refugees. At the same time hundreds of people every day to reach Greece from Turkey.

In the coming weeks, EU countries have to begin “mass relocation “refugees from Greece – announced Awramopulos. In September last. The EU has agreed on the acquisition of Greece and Italy for a total of 160,000 refugees from Syria and Eritrea, but so far the relocation goes very reluctantly. We managed to deploy only 660 people.

Until May 12 Greece must begin to effectively protect its border with Turkey and register all immigrants. If you do not meet these expectations, the EU may reintroduce checks at internal borders with Greece for up to two years.

the EC also hopes that scheduled for next Monday, the EU-Turkey will be taken decisions that will allow the inhibition of the influx of migrants from Turkey. The EU wants the Turkish authorities to effectively fight smugglers of people, and also took back illegal immigrants who are not entitled to asylum in the EU. In return, the EU will provide financial assistance in the amount of 3 billion euros for refugees in Turkey; on Friday, the European Commission announced that the first 95 million will go to the education of Syrian children in Turkey and humanitarian aid under the World Food Programme.