NAN-F-31
Visa
Brussels, Nov. 16, 2016 (dpa/NAN) The European Commission (EU) on Wednesday said it wanted additional security checks on visitors to Europe, proposing a U.S.-style online system to vet visa-free travellers.
The EU said this would serve as part of efforts to clamp down on terrorism and illegal immigration.
Terrorism suspects in attacks on Paris and Brussels were among over one million migrants and refugees who crossed Europe’s borders in 2015.
This has prompted the EU leaders to renew their focus on external border security for the region’s passport-free Schengen area.
Under a new 227-million-dollar system that could take effect as of 2020, travellers from the European Union’s list of visa-free countries will have to get permission through an automated online system.
It will also pay a five-euro fee before entering any of the 26 Schengen countries.
“Operating costs for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) estimated at an annual average of 85 million euros will be covered by revenues from the five euro fee.
“ETIAS is the missing piece in the puzzle for managing the (EU’s) external borders,’’ EU Migration Commissioner Dimitris said.
It said that under the system, visitors would have to provide personal data, identification and answers to background questions that would be vetted against EU security databases.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in his 2016 State of the Union address in September announced plans to propose the ETIAS system.
“This way we will know who is travelling to Europe before they even get here,” Juncker said.
The ETIAS proposal requires approval by the European Parliament and member states to take effect.
(dpa/NAN)
OYE/GY
Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Controlled by Grace Yussuf