The European Border and Coast Guard: A New Model Built on an Old Logic

(Series Information) European Papers - A Journal on Law and Integration, 2016 1(2), 559-569 | On the Agenda | (Table of Contents) I. Introduction. - II. A new model? Hierarchy within an intergovernmental network. - III. An old logic! Prioritising responsibility over solidarity. - IV. Conclusions. |...

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Main Author: Philippe De Bruycker
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: European Papers (www.europeanpapers.eu) 2016-08-01
Series:European Papers
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.europeanpapers.eu/en/e-journal/european-border-and-coast-guard-new-model-built-old-logic
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author Philippe De Bruycker
author_facet Philippe De Bruycker
author_sort Philippe De Bruycker
collection DOAJ
description (Series Information) European Papers - A Journal on Law and Integration, 2016 1(2), 559-569 | On the Agenda | (Table of Contents) I. Introduction. - II. A new model? Hierarchy within an intergovernmental network. - III. An old logic! Prioritising responsibility over solidarity. - IV. Conclusions. | (Abstract) Due to the refugee crisis, the Proposal made by the Commission in December 2015 to create a European Border and Coast Guard (EBCG) will soon become legislation adopted in record time with a large consensus. Wrongly considered as an ambitious solution, it is based on highly questionable principles. Firstly, it transforms the EBCG Agency into the Chief Executive Officer of the Member States authorities in charge of border controls. This is a welcome new model because of the current powerlessness of Frontex, but it does not guarantee the independence towards Member States of this new Agency that will remain intergovernmental. In reality, the Proposal does not create in the true sense an EBGC that will be nothing more than a legal fiction while its misleading title will keep going the confusion between the numerous concepts used in the European borders policy. Secondly, although the Commission pretends to share border controls between the EU and its Member States, the latter will remain responsible for their implementation which is in contradiction with the principle of solidarity, with the consequence that the funding of the European borders policy will remain an unsolved problem. Actually, the Proposal follows the old logic of a supposed principle of responsibility and gives it the priority over the necessary solidarity in violation of the Treaty and in contradiction with the new orientation given by the Commission to the asylum policy. The EBGC could be a short-term solution to the situation at the Greek borders, but it will not solve the structural problem of border controls in the EU that requires a centralised agency for which there is no legal basis in the Treaty.
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spelling doaj.art-79af8d88bbbd46bca9da08708b50b2392022-12-21T22:44:45ZengEuropean Papers (www.europeanpapers.eu)European Papers2499-82492016-08-012016 1255956910.15166/2499-8249/53The European Border and Coast Guard: A New Model Built on an Old LogicPhilippe De Bruycker0European University Institute (EUI)(Series Information) European Papers - A Journal on Law and Integration, 2016 1(2), 559-569 | On the Agenda | (Table of Contents) I. Introduction. - II. A new model? Hierarchy within an intergovernmental network. - III. An old logic! Prioritising responsibility over solidarity. - IV. Conclusions. | (Abstract) Due to the refugee crisis, the Proposal made by the Commission in December 2015 to create a European Border and Coast Guard (EBCG) will soon become legislation adopted in record time with a large consensus. Wrongly considered as an ambitious solution, it is based on highly questionable principles. Firstly, it transforms the EBCG Agency into the Chief Executive Officer of the Member States authorities in charge of border controls. This is a welcome new model because of the current powerlessness of Frontex, but it does not guarantee the independence towards Member States of this new Agency that will remain intergovernmental. In reality, the Proposal does not create in the true sense an EBGC that will be nothing more than a legal fiction while its misleading title will keep going the confusion between the numerous concepts used in the European borders policy. Secondly, although the Commission pretends to share border controls between the EU and its Member States, the latter will remain responsible for their implementation which is in contradiction with the principle of solidarity, with the consequence that the funding of the European borders policy will remain an unsolved problem. Actually, the Proposal follows the old logic of a supposed principle of responsibility and gives it the priority over the necessary solidarity in violation of the Treaty and in contradiction with the new orientation given by the Commission to the asylum policy. The EBGC could be a short-term solution to the situation at the Greek borders, but it will not solve the structural problem of border controls in the EU that requires a centralised agency for which there is no legal basis in the Treaty.https://www.europeanpapers.eu/en/e-journal/european-border-and-coast-guard-new-model-built-old-logicborder controlseuropean agenciesfrontexeuropean border guardresponsibilitysolidarity
spellingShingle Philippe De Bruycker
The European Border and Coast Guard: A New Model Built on an Old Logic
European Papers
border controls
european agencies
frontex
european border guard
responsibility
solidarity
title The European Border and Coast Guard: A New Model Built on an Old Logic
title_full The European Border and Coast Guard: A New Model Built on an Old Logic
title_fullStr The European Border and Coast Guard: A New Model Built on an Old Logic
title_full_unstemmed The European Border and Coast Guard: A New Model Built on an Old Logic
title_short The European Border and Coast Guard: A New Model Built on an Old Logic
title_sort european border and coast guard a new model built on an old logic
topic border controls
european agencies
frontex
european border guard
responsibility
solidarity
url https://www.europeanpapers.eu/en/e-journal/european-border-and-coast-guard-new-model-built-old-logic
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