Border policies (1)

With reference to Charles Buttigieg's article, entitled Passport Control (May 29), there seems to be a misconception with regard to what EU border policies are.  

First and foremost there are today two types of member states with different border policies. There are those who have already adhered to the European Union's Schengen Area and those who have not. Allow me to explain.  

The European Schengen Area allows for a truly borderless Europe whereby a person coming from one European Schengen country (eg. Germany) can enter into the second European Schengen country (eg. Luxembourg) without the need to pass through border control. But, and this is were the first misconception lies, not all European Union countries have entered the Schengen system. The UK, for example, has opted not to join, while the 10 new member states, including Malta, are still building the required logistics, procedures and amenities to be able to adopt the Schengen rules.

In Malta's case, for example, the Malta International Airport is in the process of completing an extension to the arrivals lounge which will cater for people coming in from flights from the EU Schengen countries. There are other logistical problems that have to be overcome, including the updating of the software that manages all the Schengen information (known as the Schengen Information System II) to include the 10 new member states. The new member states are expected to join the Schengen Area.

So in actual fact the Heathrow Airport immigration official was correct in asking for Mr Buttigieg's passport as the UK is not a Schengen country.

Also, it is important that everyone knows that, no matter whether you are travelling to and from a Schengen country or not, immigration officials will always have the right, on reasonable suspicion, to interrogate a person crossing into the country. This clause is obviously there to protect the law-abiding citizens from persons who could be crossing the internal borders of the EU for illegitimate or criminal purposes.

I hope the above serves to shed some light on some misconceptions that some readers might have on this issue. Should any reader want more information on this subject, please do not hesitate to contact me at the European Commission Representation Office in Ta' Xbiex for more information. Tel: 2134 5111 or e-mail edward.demicoli@ ec.europa.eu.