"With this roadmap, we are presenting the next steps that we must take together to restore a normal functioning Schengen Area as soon as possible, and this requires taking a number of important actions," Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos, said.
"First, all Member States need to apply the rules – the 'wave through' approach must end and Member States must grant access to asylum applicants, but refuse entry to those who merely wish to transit. Secondly, we must remedy the serious deficiencies at our external borders – as indeed an internal area without border controls is only possible if we have a strong protection of our external borders," he added.
In this context, the Commission's proposal for a European Border and Coast Guard – presented in December – needs to be adopted by Member States without delay so that it can start functioning during the summer already, according to Avramopoulos.
The objective would be to lift all internal border controls by December, so that there can be a return to a normally functioning Schengen area by the end of 2016, according to the report.
