A draft new European law on security of identity documents authored by MEP Roberta Metsola, has been strongly endorsed by members of the European Parliament today.
The Metsola Report, which establishes a False and Authentic Documents Online system has been approved by the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee with a large majority.
This vote took place today following weeks of negotiations with all the political groups.
As the European Parliament’s Rapporteur on this new law, MEP Roberta Metsola said, “we have to go after the tools used by criminal networks exploiting the vulnerable and undermining the security of our borders.”
“Document fraud undermines the internal security of the Schengen area as an area without internal border control,” she added. “The new law specifically tackles this problem by ensuring enhanced cooperation by EU Member States and partner states on authentic and false documents. This will ultimately guarantee the security of our external borders and of our citizens.”
MEP Roberta Metsola, will now lead the negotiations with all Member States in Council and the European Commission on this law. She aims to finalise this law by the end of the year.
The MEP explained that the new law will better assist the EU Member States and partner states in the detection and identification of forged documents by means of a near real time assistance provided by Frontex. Once approved, the law will conclude the reform of the European Border and Coast Guard.
MEP Roberta Metsola was also Parliament’s Rapporteur on this law which will see the introduction of 10,000 new border and coast guards who will have the power to fight cross-border crime and deal with people who are not eligible to cross the EU’s borders.