Press Release

13/02/2008

Frattini's border protection package a good move. Manfred Weber MEP

Entry and exit register/ More effective visa control /
Commission proposals on strenthening the protection of EU external borders

The Commission today launched a package of proposals to strengthen the protection of EU external borders. The EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament welcomed the initiative. "The Frattini package is a good move and is going to enhance the protection of the external borders", said the Group's Spokesman on Justice and Home Affairs, Manfred Weber MEP.

"The creation of an entry and exit register in particular is a reasonable step ahead. State-of-the-art technology can help implement current provisions. The new register is going to enable authorities to monitor whether people whose visa have expired do actually exit or stay in the EU illegally. The so-called overstayers can then be made subject to tracing. This, for the first time, shows a clear figure on the actual number of overstayers", said Weber.

The EPP-ED Group also welcomed the proposal on the communication network EUROSUR. "For the moment, around 50 or so authorities are in charge of monitoring the external borders in the South, for example. We need more coordination, joint communication networks and state-of-the-art surveillance technology. In the long run, all available pieces of information should be accessible through a single communication network", said the CSU MEP.

For further information:
Manfred Weber MEP, Tel: +32-2-2847890
Thomas Bickl, EPP-ED Press Service, Tel: +32-2-2832002 or +32-478-215372