No. 14

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Estonia moving in the direction of joining Schengen

18 December 2006

Politics

RiTo No. 14, 2006

  • Kalle Laanet

    Minister of the Internal Affairs, Estonian Centre Party

The first action plan for acceding to the Schengen legal space was drawn up by Estonia in 2001.

In 2005 we made interim conclusions, reviewed the continuously growing acquis, and laid plans in order to be ready to join Schengen in autumn 2007. All of this requires great efforts on the part of the state and its various agencies. Considering the fact that Estonia’s eastern border and sea border will become the external border of the Schengen area, we must make sure that no illegal immigrants would cross that border and that domestic security after accession would not weaken but rather become stronger. Currently, illegal migration is not exerting great pressure on Estonia’s borders, but the situation may change if Estonia becomes a gateway to all of Europe. That is why the border guard is making preparations for operating in a changing situation. Estonia must make its contribution to creating a common sense of security for Schengen states.

Full article in Estonian

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