Parliament allocates millions to protect the EU’s external borders
Published: Wednesday, Feb 28th 2024, 14:40
Updated At: Wednesday, Feb 28th 2024, 14:41
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According to the will of Parliament, Switzerland should continue to contribute financially to the protection of the Schengen external borders. The Council of States, as the second chamber, has approved a corresponding bill. This involves a contribution of around CHF 300 million for seven years.
The small chamber reached its decision on Wednesday by 34 votes to 1 with 4 abstentions. An SVP minority in the National Council had opposed the bill. They criticized that the protection of the Schengen external borders was not working. Now that both chambers have voted in favor, the matter is ready for the final vote.
Specifically, this involves payments into a fund to support those Schengen states that have a long external land or sea border or major international airports on their territory.
Switzerland also receives money
The so-called BMVI Fund replaces an older fund to which Switzerland had already been contributing since 2018 and which expired in 2020. A Swiss contribution of around CHF 300 million is planned for the period from 2021 to 2027.
For its part, Switzerland will receive financial resources of around CHF 50 million from the fund for national measures, as the Federal Council wrote in August when adopting the dispatch to Parliament. The money is to be used, for example, to further develop the IT systems in the Schengen area.
According to Justice Minister Beat Jans, the fund serves the security of Switzerland and the prevention of irregular migration. Participation in the fund would not lead to any additional costs for the cantons. The better the controls at the external borders work, the fewer controls will be necessary at Switzerland's national borders.
Sign of solidarity
Andrea Gmür-Schönenberger (center/LU) said on behalf of the Security Policy Committee of the Council of States (SIK-S), which had discussed the matter in advance, that the majority was of the opinion that strengthening capacities and better cooperation, in particular with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, were of great importance for Switzerland's security. Switzerland's participation in the BMVI Fund was sensible, necessary and a sign of solidarity.
However, she emphasized that human rights must be respected at the Schengen external borders. At the same time, transparency was needed with regard to the use of resources from the fund.
However, the Council of States refused to oblige the Federal Council to report to Parliament on the planned evaluation results of the EU, in particular on the effectiveness of and compliance with the provisions on non-discrimination and the protection of fundamental rights. A motion to this effect was tabled by a left-wing minority.
On behalf of the Commission majority, Gmür-Schönenberger pointed out that the results of these evaluations would be published by the EU bodies anyway. "You can talk about it at any time."
Referendum announced
Shortly after the Council of States voted in favor of protecting the EU's external borders, a left-wing collective announced a referendum. Philippe Blanc from the group "Freedom of movement for all" (BFA) was quoted in a press release as saying that if there were enough pledges from individuals and organizations before the final vote on 15 March, signatures would be collected against the bill.
The BMVI fund is not a solidarity mechanism, they said. Pushbacks, violence on escape routes and barbed wire fences are deeply lacking in solidarity with refugees and migrants.
The referendum is reportedly supported by the activist network Migrant Solidarity Network, among others. Two years ago, a referendum by this group against a higher Swiss Frontex contribution was clearly defeated at the ballot box.
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