The European Union has begun implementing a new automated border control system that involves collecting biometric data from everyone crossing the external borders of the Schengen area.
At the Ukrainian-European border, the system is already operational at three vehicle checkpoints, reported Andriy Demchenko, spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, during a television broadcast.
'The European Union has long prepared for this step. Although the implementation was postponed several times, the system finally went live on October 12. However, this does not mean an immediate connection of all checkpoints - the process will take place gradually,' Demchenko explained.
Currently, only three vehicle checkpoints have joined the new system at the Ukrainian-European border: Shehyni (at the border with Poland), Solotvyno (with Romania), and Luzhanka (with Hungary).
The new automated system records a comprehensive set of data about everyone crossing the border:
- Biometric parameters: fingerprints and facial photograph
- Information from passport documents
- Data on the fact and time of border crossing
'This is a unified database that will cover all countries of Europe and the Schengen area. Border guards from different states will be able to receive necessary information about citizens crossing the border in real-time,' noted the spokesperson of the SBGS.
Important detail: biometric data will be collected at every border crossing, forming a complete travel history of a person across EU countries.
Demchenko emphasized that the new measures do not affect Ukrainians' rights to visa-free travel to EU countries.
'This is an additional level of security directly at the border. The system will prevent the use of forged documents and also more effectively detect violators who have exceeded the permitted length of stay in European countries,' he explained.
According to the spokesperson, at the checkpoints where the new system has already been implemented, no significant complications or delays in the border crossing process have been recorded.
The gradual deployment of the system at all checkpoints of the Ukrainian-European border will continue in the near future.
In the new biometric control system at the borders of the European Union, an important detail lies in the collection of biometric data from every individual crossing the border. This helps prevent the use of forged documents and more effectively detect violators. The gradual implementation of the system at all checkpoints will enhance security and control at the EU borders.