The European Commission proposes to speed up the launch of the electronic control system at EU borders

The European Commission announced its intention to speed up the introduction of a new electronic control system at EU borders for recording the entry and exit of citizens of third countries from the EU territory, which EU member states must implement within six months.

As reported by Ukrinform, this was announced on the website of the European Commission.

«The European Commission has proposed to adopt a progressive start of operations under the new digital border system, the Entry/Exit System (EES), giving member states 6 months to implement it», the message says.

As noted, the EES is a modern IT system that digitally registers entry and exit data, including passport data, fingerprints and facial recognition, of third-country nationals travelling for a short stay in the EU and in countries associated with the Schengen area.

According to the plan, the introduction of the new system should facilitate travel to the EU, improve the management of its external borders, reduce the number of counterfeit identity documents and will help identify people staying in the EU with expired visas. The new system will also strengthen security within the Schengen area.

Electronic control will contribute to the automation of control at the EU's external borders, gradually speeding up the procedures for crossing them. At the same time, the new system will allow for increased interaction between the entire border infrastructure in different member states.

This proposal will be submitted to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU for consideration. After approval, the new regulatory rules for the EES system will enter into force. At the same time, member states, their border control structures and transport companies will have time to prepare for the new regime for crossing the EU's external borders.

As Ukrinform reported, the new EES entry/exit system is an automated system for registering people who are not EU citizens and travel to the EU for a short-term stay. Under the new system, border guards will scan fingerprints or take photographs of such persons at the first border crossing, with the biometric information then stored and used in digital format.

The EES is part of wider EU measures to strengthen external border controls and fight organised crime through a comprehensive electronic system that will be put into operation over the coming years. At the same time, the new ETIAS travel authorisation system, which will extend to third-country nationals who do not require a visa to enter the Schengen area, is expected to enter into force in the first half of 2025.