Amid rising concerns from France, Germany, and the Netherlands, the rollout of the EU’s entry-exit system (EES), initially set to launch on November 10, has been delayed for the third time. What exactly is causing this setback?
The EES was intended to require non-EU citizens to provide fingerprints or photographs prior to entering the Schengen area. Originally slated for last summer, the system faced pushback from France, which raised alarms about its potential disruptions to significant events like the Rugby World Cup and the upcoming Olympics. After several postponements, a new launch date was set for October 6 of this year, but it has now been delayed once more due to concerns over the impact on school trips to the EU.
What are EU diplomats saying about this ongoing situation? Sources indicate that it’s highly unlikely any version of the EES will be operational in just four weeks, despite the European Commission announcing a launch date last month.
This Thursday, EU home affairs ministers will meet in Luxembourg to discuss alternative plans. What options are being considered? One possibility is a phased rollout of the system, gradually introducing it at ports and airports over several months, potentially extending up to a year. Another idea is an “EES Lite” approach that might be implemented next year, enabling passport data uploads to a central database, while fingerprinting and facial recognition could occur later at various locations.
What additional challenges are being encountered? A significant concern at places like Dover port involves delays that occur when passengers have to exit their vehicles or buses to provide fingerprints. A proposed alternative could involve amending EU rules to allow tourists and others to upload biometric data via an app or at secure locations outside the ports and airports.
As noted by one informed source, the situation appears to be rather chaotic, with EU leaders struggling to find a path forward without losing credibility. France, Germany, and the Netherlands make up approximately 40% of all inbound traffic to the EU via major airports like Charles de Gaulle, Schiphol, and Frankfurt, and have raised specific issues about capacity at smaller airports such as Cologne and Munich.
Back in early September, these three nations communicated to the European Commission that they could not assure their readiness for the EES. France also expressed concerns about holiday traffic from Dover during Christmas and the February school breaks. However, despite ongoing discussions, no resolution has been reached thus far.
Regarding truck traffic, what does the data reveal? Reports indicate that up to 90% of drivers transporting vehicles across the Channel hold EU passports, suggesting that truck traffic isn’t a primary issue. Nevertheless, there are concerns that delays with passenger vehicles and tour buses could result in significant backups in Dover and on nearby motorways.
So, what’s really causing these delays? The complications stem from each country’s ability to connect with eu-Lisa, the agency responsible for managing the technology and databases associated with free movement, security, and justice within the EU.
As one diplomat familiar with the situation remarked, “eu-Lisa doesn’t seem to be ready yet. That’s the problem, and the Commission will need to devise solutions to expedite the process and get this functioning by November 10. But I’m skeptical.” They emphasized, “The issue doesn’t lie on our end; it lies with them.”
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