James Brokenshire: Schengen evaluation mechanism
This written ministerial statement was laid in the House of Commons on 23 October 2012 by James Brokenshire, and in the House of Lords by Lord…
This written ministerial statement was laid in the House of Commons on 23 October 2012 by James Brokenshire, and in the House of Lords by Lord Taylor of Holbeach.
The government has decided not to exercise its right, under Protocol 19 to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (the Schengen Protocol) and the Treaty on European Union, to opt out of the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the council on the establishment of an evaluation mechanism to verify the application of the Schengen acquis.
The government has taken this decision in accordance with the commitment in the coalition agreement which states that we will approach legislation in the area of security and criminal justice on a case-by-case basis, with a view to maximising our country’s security, protecting Britain’s civil liberties and preserving the integrity of our criminal justice system.
The government believes that our national interests are best served by participating in this regulation. Through this mechanism we can ensure that member states implement and continue to apply the correct standards, as required by the Schengen acquis, in order to maintain an area of lowered border controls which is secure for its citizens. Our participation will ensure our existing active role in the scrutiny of those policing and judicial co-operation elements of the Schengen acquis in which we participate.
Tuesday, 23 October 2012
Date: Tue Oct 23 15:00:18 BST 2012