Security Union: Commission presents Action Plan to strengthen the European response to tackle travel document fraud

Today, the Commission has adopted an Action Plan setting out concrete measures to improve the security of travel documents, as announced in the Communication on “Enhancing security in a world of mobility” adopted on the occasion of President Juncker’s 2016 State of the Union address. The Action Plan provides clear recommendations for Member States to tackle the phenomenon of travel document fraud and outlines a comprehensive set of actions for the Commission to take. Travel document security is an important factor in the fight against terrorism and organised crime and contributes to improving border protection and migration management, paving a way towards an effective and genuine Security Union. Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos said: “Ensuring the security of travel and identity documents is an important factor in the fight against terrorism and organised crime. Today’s Action Plan proposes concrete operational measures which will allow Member States to combat travel document fraud more effectively, contributing to improving the protection of our borders, ensuring our internal security and better managing migration.” Commissioner for the Security Union Julian King said: “We know that terrorists have used forged travel documents to travel undetected across the EU. Indeed, many of our security measures rely on secure travel and identity documents – such as the checks at the external border under the Schengen Border Code or behind the border against the Schengen Information System. That’s why Member States and EU agencies must work together to improve the security of travel documents and detection of travel document fraud. Taken together, these measures will help close down existing security gaps.”