#Schengen MEPs to debate coast guard proposal, relocation and Schengen with Avramopoulos

Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos (pictured) will join the Civil Liberties Committee on Thursday (14 January) to debate the border and coast guard package presented on 15 December 2015, the progress of measures to tackle the migration and refugee crisis, including relocation (only 272 asylum seekers have been relocated so far) and work in the reception “hotspots”.

MEPs may also raise the issue of the reintroduction of border controls in Sweden and Denmark and the future of Schengen, as well as the Cologne sexual attacks. The debate starts at 10.00.
The EU Commission's proposal to turn border agency Frontex into a common European border and coast guard body that could be deployed, in urgent cases, even without the approval of the country concerned was welcomed by many members in a plenary debate with Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans and Commissioner Avramopoulos on 15 December.

The Commission also proposed establishing a European return office within the new agency. In urgent situations, rapid return intervention teams could be deployed either at the request of a member state or by decision of the EU. “Nothing can happen without their cooperation, and our proposal is a European answer to European problem”, said Mr Avramopoulos during the plenary debate with members on 15 December.

You can follow the meeting via webstreaming and on Twitter (@EP_Justice).