The Commission present the State of Schengen Report 2023
This report is part of the Commission's initiative to further reinforce the Schengen governance through a yearly reporting exercise presenting the state of Schengen, identifying challenges and best practices, as well as priority areas for action. The State of Schengen Report 2023 will serve as basis for political discussions and steer at the Council on 8 June 2023.
The 2023 State of Schengen Report kicks off the second annual Schengen cycle. The upcoming Council will be the opportunity for Ministers to endorse the policy priorities identified in the report:
- Consolidating Schengen governance (new Schengen evaluation framework)
- Further strengthening EU external borders (European integrated border management)
- Enhance the effectiveness of the return system (mutual recognition of return decisions)
- Enhance internal security of the Schengen area to fight against organised crime and drugs trafficking (police cooperation)
- Schengen enlargement (allow Romania and Bulgaria to fully join Schengen)
- Phasing out long-lasting internal border controls (alternative police cooperation measures)
- Better use of EU visa policy tools to address irregular migration and security risks (alignment of third partners' visa policy with the one of the EU)
The report is accompanied by best practices, which show innovative solutions in Member States in key areas such as external border management, visa policy returns, police cooperation, IT systems and data protection.
For further information, read the press release from the Commission and the full report below.