By KUNA
Brussels : Visitors to the European Union from third countries will be fingerprinted according to proposals presented by the European Commission here Wednesday. EU Commissioner for justice, freedom and security, Franco Frattini presented to the press here today the EUs “border management package,” the main aim of the proposals is to fight illegal immigration to Europe.
“Entry-exit system will contribute to solve the factor number one contributing to illegal migration, he said.It is estimated that there were up to 8 million illegal immigrants within the EU in 2006.
It is estimated that there were up to 8 million illegal immigrants within the EU in 2006.
Third country nationals requiring a short stay visa will be checked against the Visa Information System (VIS) , which will be fully operational in 2012.
The main purposes of the VIS are, on entry, to verify the authenticity of the visa and the identity of its holder. Biometrics – facial image and fingerprints – will be introduced from the start in the VIS, according to Frattinis proposals. Other border control measures proposed include collecting and sharing out among EU member states flight information, including details of the credit card and e-mail address of the passenger from a third country visiting an EU member state. On his part, Jonathan Faull, Director General of the European Commission’s Justice, Freedom and Security department, said the proposed system will speed up the granting of visas to third country nationals and diminish long waiting queues.
“We are not adding new criteria. We are accelerating and simplifying the process, stressed Jonathan.
The Commissions proposals will now go through a lengthy debate process in the European Parliament and the EU Council of Ministers before it can become EU legislation, if approved.