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European Union

EU Proposal for Cross-National Border Police Sparks Sovereignty Concerns

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The European Union's proposal to create a cross-national border police to deal with refugees has sparked concerns about sovereignty among some European governments. The European Commission, the EU's legislative arm, has announced a plan to create an EU border and coast guard force with more power than the current border security agency, Frontex. The proposal aims to address the refugee crisis by establishing a force with at least 1,000 permanent staff and a "rapid reserve" pool of 1,500 border guards. Germany and France have expressed support for the plan, but other countries are wary of the EU's increasing control over national borders.

Key Takeaways:

  • The EU proposal aims to create a border and coast guard force with more power than the current agency, Frontex.
  • The force will have at least 1,000 permanent staff and a "rapid reserve" pool of 1,500 border guards drawn from the Schengen Area and other European countries.
  • Germany and France support the proposal, while other countries are concerned about the potential loss of sovereignty.
  • The force may be deployed in emergency situations despite objections from the host country.
  • Volker Kauder, a German politician, suggested that national member states may need to give up their rights of sovereignty entirely or in part.
  • Frans Timmermans, European Commission first vice president, stated that managing Europe's external borders must be a shared responsibility.

Statistics:

  • 1,000 permanent staff: The proposed number of permanent staff for the EU border and coast guard force.
  • 1,500 border guards: The proposed number of border guards in the force's "rapid reserve" pool.
  • 1 million refugees: The number of refugees Germany dealt with in 2015.
  • 2 assailants: The number of perpetrators in a terrorist attack involving refugees who posed as refugees to enter their host country.

Sources:

  • ED Adamczyk, STRASBOURG, France, Dec. 15 (UPI)
  • European Commission proposal for an EU border and coast guard force, Strasbourg, France, Dec. 15 (meeting)
  • Frans Timmermans, European Commission first vice president, statement on the proposal.

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