|
|
International Cooperation ProgramFriendly EU Border |
contact: granica@batory.org.pl
|
|
|
||
|
Friendly EU Border project was launched by the Stefan Batory Foundation in 2002. Our aim is to streamlining Polish and EU visa regime as well as to improve the quality of services at the external EU border crossings. Furthermore we are trying to raise public awareness of the need to implement friendly border control mechanisms for EU Eastern neighbors. In cooperation with different non-governmental organizations and research institutions we have been monitoring procedures of issuing visas to citizens of Eastern Europe by countries of the EU. We also monitor the way visitors entering EU are treated at border crossings. As a result, up to now we published several reports from: monitoring of Polish eastern borders (2003), monitoring of Polish visa policy (2004), monitoring of visa policies of the EU Member States (2006), and monitoring of the EU external border crossing points (2008) (see: Publications). Reports together with recommendations based on our monitorings are used in the campaign on EU forum to advocate for implementation of policy of easy access and affordable entry visas for EU Eastern neighbors. EU and Polish Visa PolicyExtension of the Schengen area to Poland and other New Member States had a significant impact on the Visa Policies of those countries towards EU Eastern Neighbors. Lifting of the controls on the borders with EU countries is accompanied by more restrictive procedures of issuing visas to Belarus, Ukraine and Russia citizens. Furthermore Visa Facilitation Agreement between European Union and some neighboring countries was implemented. How did it change the practical aspects of the visa’s procedures? How these procedures could be improved? In order to answer those questions, in autumn 2008 we conducted second monitoring of visa policy of the selected EU Member States. The monitoring was based on the same methodology as the one we conducted in 2005 (see: Visa Policies of the European Union Member States — Monitoring Report (2006)), therefore the consequences of the last changes could be evaluated in a reliable way. In May we published final report Changes in Visa Policies of the EU Member States. New Monitoring Report [PDF 207 KB]. The results of the research will be presented in 2009 on a series of conferences and seminars in the EU Member States as well as in the neighboring countries.
Visa policy towards Eastern Neighbors. Recommendations from the perspective of Visegrad countries project, supported by the International Visegrad Fund In the first quarter of 2009, in cooperation with three institutions from the Visegrad Group we developed joint recommendations for visa policy towards Eastern Neighbors [PDF 629 KB]. Preparation of recommendations was preceded by the series of conferences in Bratislava, Budapest, Prague and Warsaw. We will also publish interviews with representatives of authorities from countries of that region. Referring to the common experience of Visegrad countries' citizens, we will present how important the freedom of movement is. Border crossing points on the EU external borderIn 2009 we continue actions aimed at improving the quality of services at the external EU border crossing points. In Poland, we plan to support initiatives aimed at establishing new border crossing points and modernization of existing ones. We will conduct our work on the basis of results of the EU external borders monitoring which was conducted on 19 border crossing points in 7 EU countries. Two reports from that research (Gateways to Europe. Checkpoints on the EU External Land Border [PDF 1661 KB] and Monitoring of Polish border crossing points - in Polish only) were published in April 2008. In January 2009 we published an analysis Gateways to Europe – a friendly border? [PDF 219 KB] where conclusions and recommendations from the previous research are developed. We also recommend partial reports from monitoring of the EU border crossings, conducted in 2007 with partners from countries participating in the project. Bulgaria [PDF 897 KB]
Challenge Project
Since November 2004 we have participated in international project: Challenge. The Changing Landscape of Liberty and Security in Europe funded by the Sixth Framework Research Program of DG Research of the European Commission. Within project scientific researches as well as advocacy activities are implemented by 21 partners’ institutions in 17 workpackages dealing with different aspects of security policy and analysis of its implications for civil liberties, human rights and social cohesion in EU. Project is coordinated by the Center for European Policy Studies from Brussels. Stefan Batory Foundation is a participant of the 7th workpackage: The changing relationships between the Accession countries and their neighbors in the changing landscape of liberty and security. Within the project offers expertises and publications relating to migration issues. Copyright © Fundacja Batorego
|
||
