EU leaders have agreed to amend and improve the Schengen Borders Code by boosting checks of people crossing the external borders of the EU.

During a summit on Thursday devoted to fighting terrorism, heads of state or government of EU countries agreed on the need to make full use of the existing Schengen framework to reinforce and modernize external borders’ control.

“We agree to proceed without delay to systematic and coordinated checks on individuals enjoying the right of free movement against databases relevant to the fight against terrorism based on common risk indicators; the Commission should issue rapidly operational guidelines for this” the EC said in a statement.

“We will also consider a targeted amendment to the Schengen Borders Code where necessary to provide for permanent checks, based on a proposal by the Commission,” the EC announced, adding that more systematic control of external borders could be achieved, including those on EU citizens, on the basis of national authorities' risk assessment.

EU leaders also agreed that law enforcement and judicial authorities of EU countries had to step up information sharing and operational cooperation, including through Europol and Eurojust and that Member States' security services had to deepen their cooperation.

The other measures aimed at reinforcing action against terrorist threats included implementing the strengthened rules to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing, streamlining data protection safeguards, enhancing cyber-security, counteracting radicalization, and improving the EU’s external relations.

In April the European Commission is to present a proposal for a comprehensive European Agenda on Security, with the Council to report on the detailed implementation of these orientations by the June European Council.

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