Welcome to ERA – Academy of European Law

Objective

This conference will provide legal practitioners with an in-depth analysis of the European Commission's proposed Regulation on the establishment of an evaluation and monitoring mechanism to verify the application of the Schengen acquis and its draft amendment of Regulation (EC) No 562/2006 to provide for common rules on the temporary reintroduction of border controls at internal borders in exceptional circumstances. The proposals follow the independent action taken by some Member States to secure their borders after the Arab Spring, which kick-started a debate on how best to ensure that an area of border-free travel can be maintained but at the same time kept secure.

The conference will also look at recent developments in the instruments available to secure internal borders, as well as the related situation at the Greek-Turkish external border. A visit to the village of Schengen and its European Museum Schengen will form part of the conference.
 

Key topics

• The European Commission’s proposed legislation on Schengen evaluation and temporary reinstatement of border controls.
• The accession of Bulgaria and Romania and the preparations being undertaken by Croatia to join the Schengen Area.
• An update on the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II), scheduled to go operational at the beginning of 2013.
• Modifications to the Schengen Borders Code and independent measures taken by Member States.
• Police and customs cooperation centres to assist with cross-border surveillance, hot pursuit, joint patrols and other joint operations.

Who should attend?

Law enforcement officers and ministry officials, NGOs active in the field.