Thursday

28th Mar 2024

EU border control force in Norway?

Wednesday's announcement from the EU Commission that it wants a multinational police force to guard the external borders of the EU has caused concern in Norway. The long Norwegian coastline and the border to Russia are part of the EU external border because Norway is a Schengen member, although it is not in the EU, according to Norwegian paper Klassekampen.

Norway is committed to the common rules for border surveillance and against illegal immigration, and has joined the common Schengen police data network, SIS. It is preparing for a still closer co-operation with the EU countries on the Europol police force and a common EU arrest warrant. And according to Norwegian paper Nationen, a Norwegian refusal to take part in the external border force will mean that the country will have to retire from the whole Schengen Agreement.

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According to Kim Traavik, secretary of state in Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the proposal will have to go through a long process in the EU member states before Norway will need to make up its mind. Norway has the right to speak in the Schengen co-operation, but not the right to vote.

It will be difficult for Norway to say no to the border police force, if it is considered to be relevant for the Schengen Agreement, according to Sigbjørn Gjelsvik, leader of Norway's No to EU, quoted by Nationen. The Schengen Agreement requires participation on everything or nothing.

An important reason for Norway's decision to join the Schengen Agreement was the wish to continue passport free travel in the Nordic countries after Denmark and Sweden joined the EU.

Commission proposes common border guard

The European Commission on Tuesday proposed common management of the EU's external borders, financed jointly by all EU states, to clamp down on terrorism and illegal immigration. The Commission's paper on the integrated management of the EU's external borders states the long term objective to set up a European Corps of Border Guards. The Italian government will present on May 30 a study on the feasibility of setting up a European border control corps, tackling the political and economical aspects of this highly sensitive matter. The Commission's paper is unveiled amid debates sparked by recent success of far-right parties in Europe, who crusade against immigration and prone the closing of borders to ensure internal security.

EU Parliament set to sue EU Commission over Hungary funds

The European Parliament will likely take the European Commission to court for unblocking more than €10bn in funds for Hungary last December. A final nod of approval is still needed by European Parliament president, Roberta Metsola.

EU Commission clears Poland's access to up to €137bn EU funds

The European Commission has legally paved the way for Poland to access up to €137bn EU funds, following Donald Tusk's government's efforts to strengthen the independence of their judiciary and restore the rule of law in the country.

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Potential legal avenues to prosecute Navalny's killers

The UN could launch an independent international investigation into Navalny's killing, akin to investigation I conducted on Jamal Khashoggi's assassination, or on Navalny's Novichok poisoning, in my role as special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, writes the secretary-general of Amnesty International.

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I'll be honest — Moldova's judicial system isn't fit for EU

To state a plain truth: at present, Moldova does not have a justice system worthy of a EU member state; it is riven with corruption and lax and inconsistent standards, despite previous attempts at reform, writes Moldova's former justice minister.

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