EU DELAYS NEW BIOMETRIC TRAVEL CHECKS – Germany, France and Netherlands say border computer systems are not yet ready
The European Union has delayed the introduction of a new biometric entry-check system for non-EU citizens, which was due to be introduced on Nov. 10, after Germany, France and the Netherlands said border computer systems were not yet ready.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) would create a digital record linking a travel document to biometric readings confirming a person’s identity, removing the need to manually stamp passports at the EU’s external border.
A spokesperson for the German interior ministry said the three countries, representing 40% of the affected passenger traffic, were not ready to implement EES because the “necessary stability and functionality of the EES central system to be provided by the EU agency EU-Lisa is not yet in place”.
EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson says November 10 is no longer on the table. She further stated that there was no new timetable, but the possibility of a phased introduction was being considered.
The French interior ministry said that, while France was convinced of the usefulness of EES, its introduction must be prepared properly.
