Current location:Global Grounds news portal > travel
France warns of 'civil unrest' over new EU e
Global Grounds news portal2024-05-29 04:22:13【travel】6People have gathered around
IntroductionFrance has warned that 'civil unrest' could follow the implementation of strict new EU border contro
France has warned that 'civil unrest' could follow the implementation of strict new EU border controls requiring British holidaymakers to have their photograph and fingerprints taken before entering the bloc.
'It is a challenge and we must not get this wrong,' French transport minister Patrice Vergriete told aviation executives, warning 'serious operational problems' could create queues of tourists at airports and lead to the 'disruption' of public order.
Mr Vergriete said last week preparations for the summer Olympics in Paris were still taking priority, despite alerting the interior minister to concerns.
'We have little visibility and are doubtful about police numbers and technology,' he lamented.
From October, British and non-EU passport holders will have to go through fingerprint checks and face scans under the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES). The system will check each passenger's name and biometric data when they enter an EU country.
It will replace the stamping of passports, which began after Brexit when the UK became a 'third country' to the bloc – meaning it is not a member state and does not have the right to free movement within the EU.
French transport minister Patrice Vergriete (pictured) said he was 'worried' about the new automated border measures which are set to come into force from October
British and non-EU passport holders will have to go through fingerprint checks and face scans under the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES). (File photo)
'I cannot say that we are not working hard to ensure that we are as operational as possible,' he told the French National Federation of Aviation and its Trades (FNAM) conference.
'I cannot say that collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior is going badly, that would be lying… but I fear problems.'
The transport minister said he had asked the EU for a delay to the new system being rolled out but he fears this is unlikely.
It had been scheduled to come into force before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, but this has since been delayed.
'I'm even going to ask for a further postponement, but it seems difficult to me to get it from the European authorities,' Mr Vergriete added.
'We will do our utmost to be on time, and we are all aware that things are not going to run totally smoothly'.
Mr Vergriete is not the first minister to raise concerns over the new e-gate system.
Lord Cameron, James Cleverly and Mark Harper have all raised concerns about the new system with French ministers, noting that the changes could lead to travel chaos, the Telegraph previously reported.
Queues at the Port of Dover - one of the locations where the new border checks will be in place
People queue for Eurostar train services at St Pancras International station as they make their Easter getaway in London, Britain, 29 March 2024
Each time visitors try to cross into the continent, they will have to show a facial image and provide four fingerprints
One senior Government source familiar with the discussions on the new checks told the newspaper: 'The main risk is that we are in the hands of the French in those places where there is going to be disruption on UK soil.'
Lord Cameron previously said he was 'really worried' about delays and said the technology 'still needs testing and improving' as he pointed to 'choke points' at Dover and St Pancras.
Airlines are set to be concerned that tourists will face severe delays in both departures and arrivals.
Meanwhile Eurotunnel estimate that the average time of processing a car at Dover will rise from less than a minute to up to seven minutes - partially because visitors will not be able to have their passports checked at windows and will instead need to exit vehicles and use the e-gates.
Address of this article:http://anguilla.spaceforanything.com/news-19d399647.html
Very good!(13627)
Related articles
- Police release CCTV images of Bournemouth stabbing suspect after 34
- Thunder rout Mavericks 135
- Feature: Chinese
- Frank Nazar scores on first shot in NHL debut with Chicago Blackhawks
- Teenagers Yamal and Cubarsi included in young Spain squad for European Championship
- Fine arts students paint beautiful artworks in village in C China's Hubei
- Dawn Staley and her NCAA champion South Carolina Gamecocks celebrated with parade and rally
- China, Nepal sign memorandum on translation of classics
- French Open: Nadal's possible farewell draws fans from all over the world
- Tokyo International Film Festival kicks off as China's Zhang Yimou wins lifetime award
Popular articles
Recommended
Tesco customers are outraged after 'offensive' change to Meal Deal
Neil Brownsword: Exploring exchanges between China and the West through ceramics
Ozuna's 3
Celebrations of Miao New Year and Guzang Festival held in SW China's Guizhou
South Africa's surprise election challenger is evoking the past anti
Rockets beat playoff
Dunhuang elements shine at fashion week
China to launch national survey on cultural relics
Links
- The future of entertainment? Inside the world's first 'Hologram Zoo' in Australia
- Plane passenger is left horrified by canoodling couple who spent entire four
- Is this the world's best airport? Face recognition check
- A brush with Van Gogh in picture
- Don't be a tourist bored! Fascinating map reveals ONE THOUSAND amazing things to do, see
- Advocates attack removal of climate change from government's draft transport policy
- Inside Croatia's abandoned haven of hedonism: The derelict remains of Haludovo Hotel, the once
- Inside the £160
- Moment huge line of surfers ride the five
- Michelin STAR dining! Six diners will be cooked a meal by a two