by InTrieste
Amidst serene landscapes in Europe, unmanned border crossings contrast with vigilant checkpoints, sparking concerns as the 200-day mark since the Schengen Treaty’s suspension approaches. Law enforcement voices worry over potential extensions of control measures, citing logistical challenges and questioning the effectiveness of current strategies. Despite reduced migrant flows, enforcement efforts yield mixed results, prompting debates over resource allocation and the need for a comprehensive approach to border security.
In the picturesque landscapes of Cerej, Chiampore, Lazzaretto, and Plavje, the old secondary border crossings tell a tale of lax surveillance. With scenes devoid of any official scrutiny, sporadic patrols are the only semblance of authority. Residents speak of a dwindling presence over time, leaving these crossings vulnerable to unchecked movements.
Contrastingly, the Rabuiese motorway border crossing stands as a stark symbol of vigilance, with a permanent fixture of police and military personnel.
As the days tick closer to the 200th since the suspension of the Schengen Treaty, the Italian Unitary Union of Police Workers (Siulp) voices apprehensions about the extended control measures, fearing their continuation until at least mid-June.
Fabrizio Maniago, Siulp’s regional secretary, raises practical concerns about the impending influx of holidaymakers returning from Croatia, warning of logistical nightmares and potential bottlenecks all the way to Koper.
Regional councilor Roberti reports a notable reduction in migrant flows during the early months of 2024, while Interior Minister Piantedosi highlights enforcement efforts, citing significant arrests and turn-backs.
Despite these assertions, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, paints a broader picture of decline, with detections along the Balkan route plummeting by 64% compared to the previous year.
Siulp questions the sustainability of current measures, raising eyebrows over the hefty expenses incurred—ranging from 30 to 45 thousand euros daily—to deploy hundreds of officers nationwide. Their proposal favors a leaner force of specialized and permanent border agents.
Gianfranco Schiavone, president of the Italian Consortium for Solidarity (Ics), emphasizes the limitations of controls, asserting that stringent measures cannot impede individuals from seeking asylum.
As the debate over border security intensifies, stakeholders grapple with balancing effectiveness, fiscal responsibility, and humanitarian imperatives in a region caught between shifting tides of migration and geopolitical pressures.
