The European Commission new proposals aim to provide a stronger EU-based evaluation and monitoring system to verify and ensure the application of the Schengen rules, and for a more structured European decision-making mechanism that could allow for the temporary reintroduction of internal border controls in case of serious threat to public policy or internal security.

Besides an explanatory Communication, the Commission has adopted two legislative proposals with the following aims: strengthening the management of the Schengen area; and defining a European decision making mechanism to protect the common interest. The Commission's proposals aim to put in place a more efficient and EU-based approach to Schengen cooperation.

In order to strength the management of the Schengen area, the Commission proposed to revise the Schengen evaluation mechanism proposed by the Commission in November 2010. It would transform the current inter-governmental peer review approach into an EU-based Schengen governance. Announced and unannounced monitoring visits to a given Member State by Commission-led teams with experts from other Member States and Frontex will verify the application of the Schengen rules. In addition, twice a year will take place a ''Schengen health check'' with a debate in the Council and in the European Parliament on the functioning of Schengen, based on an overview presented by the European Commission.

The second proposal adopted is aimed to get an EU-based decision making mechanism to protect a common good. The current rules, which foresee passport-free travel in 25 European countries, allow national authorities to exceptionally and temporarily reintroduce border controls in case of a serious threat to public policy and internal security. However, the Commission is convinced that, since such measures have an impact for the whole of the Schengen area, the possibility to re-introduce internal border controls should be handled at the European level in a transparent, consistent and efficient way.

The Commission will inform the European Parliament on the outcome of the different monitoring visits in the context of the Schengen evaluation mechanism, and on any steps taken that might lead to the possible re-introduction of border controls. According to the Commission, the new proposals fully respect the right to the free movement of EU citizens and their family members.