Ref. Ares(2019)6921356 - 08/11/2019
9 January 2019
Ministry of Justice
Commissioner for Migration,
Minister for Justice and Home Affairs
Home Affairs and Citizenship
Dimitris Avramopoulos
Dear Commissioner,
I would like to inform you that the Swedish caretaker government is
contemplating a decision on the temporary reintroduction of border control
at the Swedish internal borders. The control would be carried out for three
months as from 12 February 2019. Other measures at our disposal have,
after detailed consideration, been deemed insufficient.
Such a decision would be taken in accordance with article 25 of the
Regulation (EU) no 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the
Council on a Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons
across borders (Schengen Borders Code).
The scope of the border control may extend to all internal borders, be it
land, sea or air borders, whereby the specific border sections and border
crossing points would be determined by the Swedish Police Authority,
following a continuous risk analysis. However, the scope would be limited to
what is strictly necessary to respond to the threat to public policy and
internal security and constantly adapted to the relevant circumstances.
The serious threat to public policy and internal security in Sweden remains.
The terrorism threat level in Sweden remains at the current elevated level
(level 3 out of 5) which is the same level as on 7 April 2017 when Stockholm
experienced a terrorist attack. Shortcomings in the protection of the external
borders persist and contribute to this threat, as they enable potential
terrorists and other criminals to enter the Schengen territory unnoticed.
The reintroduction of border control at the internal border is truly a last
resort. The existing Swedish legislation does not allow for police checks on
persons in the border areas in line with the Commission’s Recommendation
Telephone: +46 8 405 10 00
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from 12 May 2017 and instruments like these can never have the same effect
as border control at the internal border.
Let me assure you that I still remain committed to the goal of returning to an
area without internal border controls and a well-functioning Schengen
cooperation.
Yours sincerely,
Morgan Johansson
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