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Review and lessons learned from two years of crisis management at European borders

October 2022

Review and lessons learned from two years of crisis management at European borders

The MOT study for DG REGIO is published! It assesses two years of pandemic-related border management and its impact on border regions; and makes recommendations for future management, also taking into account the current revision of the Schengen Borders Code.

It updates the report "The effects of COVID-19 induced border closures on cross-border regions," published in January 2021.

The analysis revealed the complex nature of cross-border interdependencies. Public authorities lacked a clear vision, and when the crisis occurred they reacted within their national frameworks, which turned their backs on each other on each border, leading to great difficulties in cross-border coordination and inappropriate, disproportionate, unfair and even violent border management measures. Thus, border regions have been more severely affected than other territories. Moreover, the real nature and day-to-day functioning of borders have been largely misunderstood by both public and private actors.

Border management needs to be reinvented, considering borders not only as lines, but also as cross-border regions where people live. Future policies should be based on a comprehensive 360-degree vision; a common responsibility of local, national and European institutions towards border inhabitants; horizontal, vertical and diagonal coordination; and a shift from voluntary to mandatory cooperation, with cross-border action mandates given to institutions. The recommendations address two aspects: local management of cross-border regions and multi-level governance of borders.

More info - Download the study

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