Statement by EP President on the EU's Entry-Exit System 

The European Parliament has approved a new electronic system that will register all non-EU citizens arriving in the Schengen area. This is part of a series of measures - as outlined in the joint declaration on the EU’s legislative priorities - that will make Europeans safer.

President Tajani stated:

"Today’s vote on the entry-exit system delivers concrete results in a policy area that is crucial to our citizens: their security. The Schengen Area, underpinned by the freedom of movement that it grants, is one of the European Union’s most significant achievements. However, we must work together and adapt to more recent security challenges by monitoring our external borders much more carefully. The fight against terrorism has made improved cooperation between intelligence, judicial and law enforcement authorities essential in making Europeans safer and I am glad that the European Parliament is playing its role in making this happen thanks to today’s vote."

Note to editors:

The system consists of a central database connected to national interfaces that registers entry, exit and entry refusal information of third country nationals crossing the Schengen area’s external borders. The information stored in the system will be accessible to border, visa and national enforcement authorities, as well as Europol, to verify whether a third country national fulfils the conditions of entry and to help detect and investigate terror offences or other serious crimes.