EUROPEAN UNION

Issue 1: EU Environmental policy- Air pollution (NEC-Directive)

Definitions

Ocean acidification: The ongoing decrease of the pH of the Earth’s oceans, due to

CO2 uptake from the atmosphere

Acid rain: Caused by emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide reacting with

water molecules to produce acids

Eutrophication: Excessive richness of nutrients in a lake or other body of water,

frequently due to runoff from the land, which causes a dense growth of plant life.

Ground­level Ozone: Excessive Ozone (O3) molecules in the atmosphere as a result of

CFCs, can lead to breathing problems in children or elderly people. Also has adverse

effects on ecosystems and vegetation.

Background

Since the 1970s, air pollution has become one of the EU’s main political concerns, also

recognising it as an important social and environmental issue.Travelling over long

distances and over national boundaries, air pollution has a significant negative impact on

human health. Particulate matter (fine dust), ground­level ozone and nitrogen dioxide are

of particular concern to the EU, as they make up the atmospheric pollutants which are

damaging to human health. Simultaneously, damages to the ecosystem must also be

considered, as air pollution is also responsible for acidification, eutrophication and

ground­level ozone pollution. Acid rain and eutrophication are particularly concerning as

they not only negatively impact biodiversity, but even have an effect on the economy, with

diminishing fish populations and loss of natural landscapes for tourism sectors. As a

result, air pollution and emissions have become major concerns for the EU.

In order to limit air pollution, the EU has established policies in order for individual

sources to be limited but also so that national atmospheric emission totals of the key

pollutants can be regulated. These are present in the form of annual national emission

ceilings for each Member State to attain, along with various directives and implemented

objectives throughout the years. The Ambient Air Quality Directives the National Emission

Ceilings (NEC) Directives provide the legal framework for the EU's air policy. Currently

there are 23 EU countries which are breaking the european air quality laws.

As air pollution cannot be contained within countries and disregards national borders, it

has become necessary for the issue to be tackled at the European and global level.

Key Facts Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Hungary,

Italy, Latvia, Portugal, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Slovakia and Slovenia face

legal action for breaking european air quality laws.

Over the last two years, the Commission launched legal action against 12

member states for failing to enforce the air quality standards for NO2. Austria,

Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Spain, France, Hungary, Italy,

Poland, Portugal and the UK face possible fines.

The Commission estimated that air pollution was the leading cause in the

premature deaths of over 400,000 people in the EU in the year 2010, a figure

which is ten times greater than deaths from road traffic accidents.

The Clean Air Policy Package was adopted by the European Commission in

2013 after it had reviewed the EU’s air policy from 2011 to 2013. With this, the

Commission proposed a Clean Air Programme for Europe, thus setting new

goals and objectives for EU’s air policy for 2020 and 2030 by updating the 2005

Thematic Strategy on Air Pollution.

The 2008 Air Quality Directive, now under review, obliges member states to

cut exposure to fine particulate matter by an average of 20% by 2020, based

on 2010 levels.

Ozone (O3) killed 16,000 and small particulate matter (PM2.5) caused

436,000 deaths in the same year. PM2.5 particles, microscopic specks of

dust and soot caused by burning fossil fuels, can enter the lungs and

bloodstream.

Discussion focus Delegates should focus on the following topic questions for their debates:

What are the objectives of the NEC­Directive, and who are the stakeholders?

On what issues do you think the European Parliament (representing the EU’s

citizen)

and Council (representing the governments) could disagree on?

Could the information sharing between Member States on effective measures

and the impact of policies significantly help Member States meet their ceilings?

What measures could be taken to address the most problematic pollutants, such

as NOx?

Newly acceded Member States in the 2000s claim lower reduction efforts,

compromising the objective of economic growth with environmental protection

under the umbrella of “Sustainable development”.

To what extent is this special treatment for “catching­up” ?

Individual EU countries’ air quality: Austria (1995):

Austria could face possible fines for breaking EU standards for NO2 emissions in its

atmosphere. In recent years, a ir quality in Austria has improved considerably and

emissions of most air pollutants have decreased. Emission ceilings for 2010 were

complied with for sulphur dioxide, ammonia and volatile organic compounds. However,

emissions of nitrogen oxides are still clearly above the emission ceilings, despite a

downward trend in recent years. The yearly average limit value for nitrogen dioxide has

being exceeded at several monitoring stations adjacent to places where traffic is the most

significant source.

Belgium (1958) Belgium could face possible fines for breaking EU standards for NO2 emissions in its

atmosphere. The Belgian annual air quality report indicates significant improvement

over recent decades, but also shows that a high percentage of the Belgian population is

still exposed to excessive concentrations of the four most important air pollutants (PM,

NO2, O3 and SO2).

Bulgaria (2007)

Energy production remains the biggest source of sulfur dioxide emissions and one of

the largest for nitrogen oxide emissions. The domination of road transport in the

overall transport structure, together with its ongoing growth, is linked with an increase

in fuel consumption and emissions of harmful substances in the ambient air, including

greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, ozone precursors, and particulate matter (PM).

Croatia (2013)

Emissions of major pollutants to the air are showing a decreasing trend. In urban areas,

the air is mostly clean or only slightly polluted. But in some urban areas, it is moderately

or overly polluted due to air pollution with particles of PM10, NOx and ground­level

ozone. In regional terms, Croatia is in an unfavorable situation because transboundary

pollution contributes to problems with eutrophication and ground­level ozone.

Cyprus (2004) The Department of Labour Inspection operates a network of nine monitoring stations for the

measurement of Ozone, Nitric Oxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxides, Sulphur Dioxide,

Carbon Monoxide, BTEX, Particulate Matter (PM), and meteorological parameters and four

mini stations for the measurement of Ozone, Nitric Oxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Nitrogen

Oxides and PM. The measurement results are made available to the public together with

other useful information on air quality through a dedicated air quality website.The

assessment of air quality measurements shows an improvement of air quality in Cyprus.

Most of the air pollutants do not exceed the limits, with the exception of Ozone and PM.

Despite this decrease in emissions, emissions still cause acidification of ecosystems and

agricultural land, and defoliation of forest stands. NOx emissions are also a precursor to

ground­level ozone, which damages plants and reduces their resistance to stress factors

of the environment.

Air quality in certain regions and localities still remains unsatisfactory. Household heating

is a major, and difficult to regulate, source of emissions of PM10. It produces roughly 40%

of particulate matter emissions. Main issues are obsolescence and low efficiency of

combustion in heating units and to some extent behavioural traits of households.

Denmark (1973) Air quality is overall improving, but remains a challenge in densely populated areas.

Emissions of nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, sulfur dioxide, and heavy

metals are decreasing. Fine particles, especially from wood stoves and diesel driven

means of transport, continue to pose a challenge. In Copenhagen NO2 levels remain

above the EU limit values.

Estonia (2004) Continuous monitoring of ambient air has shown that the quality of air is good.

Emissions of SO2, NOx, NH3, heavy metals (Pb, Cd and Hg), and other pollutants have

decreased during the period 1990­2012. Emissions of SO2 decreased by 85.2% in this

period. The use of local fuels (including wood, and oil­shale oil with a lower sulphur

content compared to heavy fuel oil) and natural gas has been increasing since 1993.

Estonia assumed the obligation to decrease annual SO2 emissions from oil­shale power

plants to 25 000 tons by 2012. Unique desulphurisation systems were installed on four

generating units of the Estonian power plants and the goal was met. Emissions of NOx

and ammonia have dropped by 56% between 1990 and 2012. Emissions of particulate

matter and lead decreased by 90% and 84% respectively in the same period.

Finland (1995) Emissions are decreasing, mainly as a consequence of advances in fuel technology

and improvements in industrial processes and treatment technologies. A considerable

share of Finland's economic growth in recent decades has been based on natural

resources from overseas which explains the reduction in local impacts.

Due to better control, the sulphur and nitrogen oxide emissions have declined by

almost one half and by more than three quarters since 1990, respectively. Measures

taken to reduce ammonia emissions have not been as effective. Emissions of

compounds which form ozone in the troposphere have declined since 1990 but particle

pollution has not declined. In general, days with poor air quality are rare in Finland.

France (1958) While air quality has improved on average by 20% from 1990 to 2012 (largely as a result

of a decrease in sulphur dioxide emissions) the threshold levels for protection of public

health for certain pollutants (ozone, fine particulates, and nitrogen dioxide) were

exceeded at one measurement station in ten in 2012. Soils are subject to severe

pressures, and are being degraded by erosion, sealing and pollution.

Germany (1958) Emissions of eutrophying and acidifying air pollutants and of ozone precursors

decreased to 60% of their 1990 level by 2012 (mean value of the emissions of SO2,

NOx, NH3 and NMVOC).

Nevertheless, concentrations of NO2, PM10 and O3 remain too high. All three are

seeing exceedances of the current limit and target values for protection of human

health.

Greece (1981) The study showed that in 2009 there was a 7.3% decrease in the total sum of

emissions from acidifying substances (SO2, NOx, and NH3) and a 10.3% decrease in

tropospheric ozone precursors (NOx, NMVOC, CO and CH4) compared with 1990.

There was an increase of 51.5% in primary PM10 emissions during the same period. The most important sectors of emissions in 2009 included industrial energy (due to

combustion), transport, while agriculture had the largest contribution to NH3 emissions.

Industrial construction and services, and households were estimated to be the most

significant sectors for the emissions of primary PM10 and PM2.5, respectively.

Hungary (2004) Some of the air pollutants from national economy are still causing environmental

problems. Emissions of a cidifying substances have drastically decreased from 2000 to

2011 (by 65%) primarily due to the use of SO2 abatement methods. Ammonia and

nitrogen­oxide emissions have become the most significant factors of acidification.

NOX concentrations have exceeded health limit values several times over in certain

areas.

The ban on bituminous coal in large cities and towns has greatly reduced levels of

particulate matter pollution in these areas. The ban was extended in 2012 and this is

expected to further decrease levels of particulate matter across the country.

In 2014, a joint north­south study was commissioned to examine air pollution from

residential solid fuel, in particular 'smoky' coal, and to consider potential policy

options to reduce emissions on an all­island basis.

Italy (1958) In 2012, Italy had satisfactory levels of air quality concerning sulphur dioxide and

benzene. However it had unsatisfactory concentrations of PM10 (the daily limit value

was exceeded at 40% of monitoring stations), ozone (the long­term target for

human­health protection was exceeded in 93% of monitoring stations) and nitrogen

dioxide (the annual limit was exceeded in 17% of monitoring stations).

Latvia (2004) Generally the state of Latvian environment can still be evaluated as "good" because

there are no real threats to air quality, water quality, land degradation, municipal services

etc. The majority of environmental problems are local, such as a slight exceedance of

certain air pollutants in some parts of the capital Riga or some historically polluted spots.

Nevertheless the most up­to­date records show that, affected by the financial crises,

Latvia had failed to some extent to implement a new and more ambitious and efficient

environmental policy, and dropped down in related rankings. The 2014 EPI shows a

sharp fall back for 40 locations, but it does not mean that Latvian environment has run in

problems. The weaknesses and bottlenecks are well known and Environmental Policy

Strategy (EPS) 2014­2020 is already focused on effective actions.

Lithuania (2004) In 2012, the annual average concentrations of major air pollutants in urban areas did not

exceed the limit values. The amount of main air emissions in 2011 fell by 7%, compared

to the previous year. This indicates a successful implementation of cleaner technologies

in industry. However, benzo(a)pyrene concentration in ambient air is increasing and it is

partly associated with the increasing use of biofuels in energy companies and

households.

Luxembourg (1958) GHG emissions from "road fuel sales to non­residents" have considerably increased

since 1990 (+165% compared to +85% for the resident population, i.e. about 42% of the

total GHG emissions, excluding LULUCF ­ i.e. emissions accounted for in the framework

of the Kyoto Protocol and related engagements ­ and 75% of road fuel sales in 2013). At

the same time, industrial emissions have reduced a lot since 1990, both due to

technological changes and to the deindustrialisation of the country.

Malta (2004) Air quality remains a concern in Malta. Concentrations of PM10 nitrogen oxide and

ground­level ozone exceed EU limit values in certain areas. Ozone concentrations are

mainly caused by transboundary transport from outside Malta. However, concentrations of

particulate matter and nitrogen oxides are chiefly the result of domestic emissions from

traffic, and to a lesser extent, power generation. Demand for fuel from these sectors is

expected to continue to increase. Associated impacts from air pollution may also continue

to rise due to increasing numbers of private vehicles and the high percentage of imports of

older, more polluting vehicles.

On the positive side, Malta recorded a 38% fall in national annual average sulphur­dioxide

concentrations between 2004­2007. This fall may be the result of greater use of

low­sulphur fuels.

Netherlands (1958) The emission of hazardous substances to the air has decreased significantly since 1990.

The European emission ceilings for sulfur dioxide, ammonia and volatile organic

compounds are not being exceeded. The emission of nitrogen oxides roughly equals the

target.

The annual average concentrations for most air pollutants, such as particulate matter

and nitrogen dioxide, show a long­term decline. In most parts of the Netherlands these

concentrations are below their limit values. However, locally there are still health effects

due to poor air quality, particularly near busy roads.

Poland (2004) Poland achieved and maintains valid national emission ceilings for air pollutants.

Continuous development of the Polish economy in the last two decades has not led to

increased emissions, and in some cases a systemic reduction has been observed

(sulphur dioxide).

In spite of the improvement of air quality in Poland, exceedances of target value for

tropospheric ozone in the summer season and exceedances of limit values for PM10,

PM2,5 and benzo(a)pyrene in the winter season remain a serious problem. The latter is

particularly related to emission from domestic heating for households and obsolete

transport options.

Portugal (1986) In 2013, air quality recorded a significant number of days rated "Good" and "Very Good",

and a reduction in the number of days rated "Poor" and "Bad". However, the number of

episodes of tropospheric ozone pollution and of fine particles pollution were higher than

the long­term target established.

Between 2005 and 2011, emissions of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, carbon

monoxide and ammonia) and their precursors have fallen. Emissions of other air

pollutants also fell in the same period. Sulphur dioxide emissions fell by 48.8% between

2005 and 2011.

Slovakia (2004) Emissions of air pollutants between 1993 and 2012 were reduced. However, the speed

of reduction after 2000 slowed down significantly, or in some cases maintained at the

same level. For some pollutants slight annual increases were recorded, especially for

solid pollutants due to the increase in consumption of firewood in the households, and

for persistent organic pollutants due to the increase in consumption of solvents in the

chemical cleaning sector.

Slovenia (2004)

Road traffic and domestic heating using wood in outdated appliances followed by power

generation, industry, and agriculture are the main sources of air pollution. Particulate matter

and ozone are the major environmental and health problem. Recent health studies have

confirmed links between air pollution from particulate matter PM10 and the development of

asthma in children. Children in Slovenia (0­15 years of age) are on average exposed to

10PM annual concentrations of 30–40 µg/m3, which is above the level recommended by

the WHO. Measures to improve the air quality are aimed at enhancing efficiency in the

transport and energy (including buildings) sectors. Freight and passenger transport

volumes are increasing. Emissions from the road transit traffic are causing most concern.

Spain (1986)

In 2012, Spain was responsible for 7.5% of the total emissions of the EU­28, emitting 7.28

tonnes of CO2­eq/inhabitant, a figure lower than the average values recorded in the

European Union: 9.0 tonnes of CO2­eq/inhabitant. In relation with the GDP, Spain was

also one of the countries with lower emissions and in order to produce a GDP unit, 0.33 kg

of CO2­eq were released in 2012, whereas in the EU­28, such figure amounted to 0.35 kg

of CO2­eq. Tropospheric ozone precursor emissions during the 1990­2011 period

decreased by 25.3 %. PM 10 emissions have fallen by 23.8 % since 2000, while PM 2.5 fell

by 22.5 %.

Sweden (1995) For most of the environmental quality objectives the situation is complex, with positive

trends for some components of them, but more negative trends for others. Certain

emissions, e.g. of phosphorus, nitrogen, sulphur dioxide and lead, have been reduced

to some extent, but in some areas the beneficial effects, for instance on air quality,

acidification and eutrophication, are taking time to emerge. This is due to nature's slow

capacity for recovery and the complex relationships between emissions and levels in

the environment. Levels of some toxic pollutants are declining, but persistent ones are

a major problem

United Kingdom (1973) Emissions of air pollutants continue to show downward trends, with many reducing

year­on­year. The area of sensitive habitat exceeding critical loads for acidification and

eutrophication significantly decreased in the period 1996­2010.

The number of days when air pollution is defined as "moderate or higher" indicates how

often air pollution is raised to levels when there is an increased risk of health effects

from short term exposure. Northern Ireland has seen a long­term decline in number of

pollution days. In England the average number of pollution days in urban sites fell from

15 to 14 in the period 2010­2013, and rose from 10 to 16 in rural sites. There is no clear

trend for Scotland or Wales.

References https://www.euractiv.com/section/sustainable­dev/news/23­eu­countries­are­breaking­eu

rop ean­air­quality­laws/

https://www.eea.europa.eu/soer­2015/countries

http://eur­lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:5fbb1091­77a9­11e3­b88901aa75ed71a

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021.04/DOC_1&format=PDF

Issue 2: European Coast Guard and Border Background Having no internal borders, irregular migration through the external borders of the

Schengen area affects all Member states. Thus, an area without internal borders

necessitates that its external borders are effectively protected and secured.

The European Commission brought inner border checks to attention in 2011 with its

proposal 2011/0242/COD for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council

amending Regulation (EC) No 562/2006 in order to provide for common rules on the

temporary reintroduction of internal border control in exceptional circumstances. The

proposal was adopted in 2013 and signed by the Presidents of the Council and the

Parliament. In 2015, the EU was witness to extraordinary pressures at its external

borders with an estimated 1.5 million people having illegally crossed the borders

between January and November last year. The magnitude of the mixed migratory flows

which have crossed the external borders of the European Union demonstrated that

existing structures at Union and Member State level are inadequate to address the

challenges arising from such a large influx.

The 2013 proposal is just one of the legislative proposals that allows for internal border

control. Border control results in the restriction of free trade and movement within the

Schengen area to protect and secure each individual member state, contradicting the EU

principle of freedom of movement and solidarity. Therefore, Commission Proposal COM

(2015) 671 highlights the need for a European integrated border management under

which a European Border and Coast guard would be established to protect the external

borders of the European Union, to monitor migratory flows and overall ensuring a high

level of security within the Union while safeguarding the free movement of EU citizens.

This Regulation will serve as the focal point for the discussion in both the Council and the

Parliament.

Amidst growing public unease in the refugee crisis, the EU increased its focus on

addressing the need for external border protection through Regulation 2016/1624, which

established the aforementioned European Border and Coast Guard and equipped it with

the tasks of monitoring and assessing developments in migratory flows, assisting Member

States in the operational field and setting up, developing and deploying teams and

technical means for these purposes. This can be seen as the most comprehensive

agreement of the last few years and as the culmination of the desire for an integrated

border movement in the EU. Additionally, this proposal aims at at dealing with the recent

concerns over the sustainability of the Schengen Agreement.

Building on the foundations of Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency

will closely monitor the EU's external borders and work together with Member States to

quickly identify and address any potential security threats to the EU's external borders.

Discussion focus The proposal to be discussed in between the co­legislators strengthens the mandate of

the European Border and Coastguard Agency as compared to Frontex by the following

key points:

• Establishing a monitoring and risk analysis Centre

• Deployment of Liaison officers of the Agency to Member States so that the Agency

can ensure proper and effective monitoring

• Supervisory role for the Agency by establishing a mandatory vulnerability

assessment of existing border management practices

• New procedures to deal with situations requiring urgent action where a Member State

does not take the necessary corrective action

• Enhanced tasks for the Agency consisting of the setting up and deployment of

European Border and Coast Guard Teams for joint operations and rapid border

interventions • Mandatory pooling of human resources by establishing a rapid reserve

pool

• Deployment of an own technical equipment pool by acquiring itself or in co­ownership

with a Member State

• Key role in assisting the Commission with the coordination of migration

management support teams at hotspot areas

• Stronger role for the Agency on refoulement by establishing a Return Office

• Participation of the Agency in the management of research and innovation activities

• European cooperation on coast guard functions by developing cross­sectoral

cooperation among the European Border and Coastguard Agency, the European

Fisheries Control Agency and the European Maritime Safety Agency

• Increased cooperation with third countries by coordinating operational

cooperation between Member States and third countries

• Strengthening of the Agency’s mandate to process personal data by also allowing for

the processing of personal data in the organization

• Guaranteeing the protection of fundamental rights by means of a complaint Mechanism

Countries and positions

Austria (1995)

In favor of extending the country’s border controls indefinitely. Vienna continues to

take national security measures in order to maintain public order and internal

security in the country, therefore having tougher measures on asylum seekers to

the country. Austria is planning to impose border controls and possibly deploy

troops to cut the number of migrants crossing from Italy.

Belgium (1958)

Belgium was the last country to re­introduce internal borders (23 February 2016) under

Article 28, fearing the arrival of refugees from the Calais refugee camp. After April

2016, Belgium did not prolong its internal border controls.

Bulgaria (2007) Not part of the Schengen area, but currently in the process of joining. Bulgaria­Turkey

border. Bulgaria wants the EU to help pay for securing the external borders given

budgetary constraints. As there are lots of illegal immigrants coming into the country in

order to reach Serbia, Germany.

Croatia (2013) Legally obliged to join the Schengen area, but currently not part of it. In March 2016,

Slovenia announced that only migrants who apply for asylum in Slovenia and those with

clear humanitarian needs will be allowed to enter Slovenian territory.

Cyprus (2004) Legally obliged to join the Schengen area, but currently not part of it. The Republic of

Cyprus is a full member of the EU, but the country remains divided by the Green Line

which separates the so­called ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ from the rest of the

island. The ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ is not recognized by the British

government. The government does believe in having the best security measures near

internal and external borders.

Czech Republic (2004)

It is currently part of the Schengen area and is looking for ways to increase border

security in the EU. Due to major camping of Syrian refugees in Austria, border controls

were reintroduced in the Czech­Austrian border. The country has the Alien Police Service

which is a highly specialised unit which carries out functions relating to illegal migration.

Denmark (1973)

It is currently part of the Schengen area. The country had set up temporary border controls

due to the increasing number of refugees flowing into the country. Denmark has moved to

drastically reduce inward refugee flows, as Scandinavian countries compete with each

other to shed their reputations as havens for asylum seekers.

Estonia (2004) Currently a member of the Schengen area. The government wants to build a fence along its

eastern border with Russia to boost security and protect the EU's passport­free Schengen

zone. A smart border system called Defendec has been developed in Estonia which has

hlped in the border control not only in Estonia but lots of other EU countries as well. Hence

it is looking to improve the border controls.

Finland (1995) Presently a member of the Schengen area Finlands border guard is a paramilitary

organization, subordinate to the Ministry of the Interior in administrative issues and to the

President of the Republic in issues pertaining to the president's authority as

Commander­in­Chief. The country has agreed to increase its external border to ensure

safety in the Schengen area, to allow free movement of people in the Schengen area.

France (1958) One of the first members of the Schengen area and still is part of it. Initially France had

indefinite borders even after they were requested to impose stricter security in the border.

But now has implemented strong border control. France has also urged the deployment of

“rapid response teams” of European border guards to the Greek­Turkish frontier, which

Athens has been resisting, and the systematic vetting of all of the hundreds of thousands of

refugees entering the EU from Turkey.

Germany (1958) One of the earliest member of the Schengen area and powerful country present in the

Schengen area. Germany aims at controlling immigration through a detailed system of

visas and permits. Germany’s borders with surrounding countries are all internal borders

within the meaning of the Schengen regime, and for these Germany do not maintain border

checkpoints. Germany relies on other Schengen countries to protect its internal borders,

the German Federal Police still have the mission of protecting the borders against various

forms of illegality

Greece (1981) Part of the Schengen area at present. The country has failed to impose strict border

regulation and has allowed refugees to enter the nation. The EU has overridden objections

from Athens, giving Greece three months to tighten up security on its borders. If it fails to

do so, other Schengen states will be entitled to erect border controls around Greece for up

to two years.

Hungary (2004)

Schengen member since 2007. In 2015, Hungary built a border barrier on its border with

Serbia and Croatia. The fence was constructed during the European migrant crisis, with the

aim to ensure border security by preventing immigrants from entering illegally, and enabling

the option to enter through official checkpoints and claim asylum in Hungary in accordance

with international and European law. Since then the no of illegal immigrants has led to a

great decline.

Ireland (1973)

Currently not a part of the Schengen area. Before Brexit, the country believed to ensure a

stricter border control along with the help of the UK. Later, The Irish and UK governments

as well as EU representatives, have stated that they do not wish for a hard border in

Ireland, taking into account the historical and social “sensitivities” that permeate the island.

But as all countries they are trying to make the country safe for their citizens.

Italy (1958)

Italy is also one of the first few members of the Schengen area. Austria wants to have

strong border security with Italy as there are believed to be lots of illegal immigrants in the

country. The country has 2 bodies responsible for the protection of the borders with quite a

lot of manpower. There has been rigorous checking on all borders but due to the Schengen

Agreement the land borders have disappeared.

Latvia (2004)

Currently a member of the Schengen area. Border control is performed by the State

Border Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Latvian Republic. Latvia has been

building a fence that stands at 2.7 metres tall along its external border and will also include

barbed wire on top as Latvia looks to protect itself and the EU from migrants coming into

the superstate. Especially paying close attention to proper checkpoints near the Russian

border.

Lithuania (2004) Lithuania borders Poland, Germany and Latvia. It also has a small gap on the West side of

the country by the coast. This coast is covered by the Lithuanian State Border Guard

service, also known as the VSAT. This organization is under the authority of the Ministry of

Interior in charge of controlling and maintaining the security of Lithuanian borders on land,

within the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon. Lithuania has been a part of the Schengen

Area and SBGS since 2007, and is also partners with Fronted and controls about 1,070

kilometers of Area's external land border with Kaliningrad and Belarus. Furthermore,

Lithuania supports the issue at hand.

Luxembourg (1958) Luxembourg borders Germany, France and Belgium and is a Schengen country. However,

it had placed a temporary border control to prevent the flow of migrants to increase. It

agrees to increase border security within the EU.

Malta (2004) Malta is a small island South West of Europe, in other words right underneath it.

Considering it is mostly coasts surrounding it, it is and can be easily accessed by migrants

fleeing their countries, sometimes making it difficult to control who enters the country. Malta

agrees to support the issue at hand with borders and coastlines but cannot do much to help

as it is one of the countries that currently needs help themselves.

Netherlands (1958) The European portion of the Netherlands borders Germany to the east, Belgium to the

south, and the North Sea to the northwest, sharing maritime borders in the North Sea with

Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Germany (it also shares a complicated borderline with

Belgium within Baarle­Nassau).

Poland (2004) The Borders of Poland are 3511 or 3582 kilometers long. The neighboring countries are

Germany to the west, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south, Ukraine and Belarus

to the east, and Lithuania and the Russian province of Kaliningrad Oblast to the northeast.

To the north, Poland is bordered by the Baltic Sea.

Portugal (1986)

Portugal borders Spain and has a coast line going from West to South of the country. The

Portugal–Spain border is the international boundary between Portugal and Spain. It is one

of the oldest borders in the world. The Portugal–Spain border is 1,214 km (754 miles) long

and considered the longest uninterrupted border within the European Union. The National

Republican Guard, GNR is the national gendarmerie force of Portugal. Members of the

GNR are military personnel, subject to military law and organization. The GNR is

responsible for the preventive police and highway patrol in the countryside and small towns

of Mainland Portugal (large urban centers and all the Portuguese islands territory being

patrolled by the PSP). At national level, GNR also has duties of customs enforcement,

coastal control, nature protection, search and rescue operations and state ceremonial

guards of honor.

Romania (2007)

Romania borders Ukraine, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria and Moldova. It also has a coast line

a few miles from Bucharest. Border guards within Romania are now using helicopters and

boats to patrol the border with Serbia, which many migrants are now attempting to cross

after running into a dead end at the fenced border with Hungary. Romanian police are also

using high­tech equipment to prevent migrants from illegally crossing their border, including

sensors that detect body heat and recognize heart beats. Romania supports the issue at

hand with full force.

Slovakia (2004)

Slovakia borders Poland in the north, Ukraine in the east, Hungary in the south, Austria in

the south­west, and the Czech Republic in the north­west for a total border length of 1,672

km. When traveling between Slovakia and non­Schengen countries (including Ukraine, as

well as Bulgaria/Cyprus/Ireland/Romania/United Kingdom), there are routine immigration

checks and selective customs checks.

Slovenia (2004)

Slovenia is a member of the free travel Schengen Area and borders Italy, Croatia, Austria,

Hungary and the Adriatic Sea. The Slovenian border barrier is a border barrier currently

under construction by Slovenia on its border with Croatia as a response to the European

migrant crisis.

Spain (1986)

Spain borders Portugal, France, the Mediterranean Sea, the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic

Ocean. Spanish policy on controlling migratory flows has broadened

in scope and perfected its actions, placed greater emphasis on border control without

relaxing internal control, incorporated a growing number of actors from the national,

international, state and private sectors and improved its mechanisms of ‘remote control’.

The fights against irregular immigration and human trafficking networks have become

priorities for Spain due to its geographic location and also because of the huge increase

in migratory flows by sea

Sweden (1995)

Sweden is a country in Northern Europe on the Scandinavian Peninsula. It borders Norway

to the west; Finland to the northeast; and the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Bothnia to the south

and east. Sweden has required carriers to perform identity checks on the Danish side of

the Denmark–Sweden border, while still keeping the border controls on the Swedish side.

United Kingdom (1973)

The United Kingdom borders the North Sea, the English channel and the North Atlantic

Ocean, and it does not wholly support this issue as it has a desire to fight against those

wishing to exploit the country's system of benefits. The UK also has Border Force, which is

a law enforcement command within the Home Office that secures the UK border by

carrying out immigration and customs controls for people and goods entering the UK.

References http://frontex.europa.eu/news/european­border­and­coast­guard­agency­launches­today­CH IYAp http://frontex.europa.eu/about­frontex/legal­basis/ http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press­releases/2016/09/14­european­border­coast guard/ http://frontex.europa.eu/partners/third­countries/ http://eur­lex.europa.eu/legal­content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:12012E/TXT http://eur­lex.europa.eu/legal­content/en/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A52015DC0673 http://www.dw.com/en/austria­interior­minister­sobotka­calls­for­indefinite­extension­of­borde r­controls/a­38590892