Article 8 Multiannual strategic policy cycle for European integrated border management

The Commission and the European Border and Coast Guard shall ensure the effectiveness of European integrated border management by means of a multiannual strategic policy cycle that is adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in paragraph 4.

The multiannual strategic policy for the European integrated border management shall set out how the challenges in the area of border management and return are to be addressed in a coherent, integrated and systematic manner. It shall set out the policy priorities and provide strategic guidelines for a period of five years in relation to the components set out in Article 3.

The multiannual strategic policy cycle for European integrated border management shall consist of four stages as set out in paragraphs 4 to 7.

On the basis of the strategic risk analysis for European integrated border management referred to in Article 29(2), the Commission shall prepare a policy document developing a multiannual strategic policy for European integrated border management. The Commission shall submit that policy document to the European Parliament and to the Council for discussion. Following that discussion, the Commission shall adopt a communication establishing the multiannual strategic policy for European integrated border management.

In order to implement the multiannual strategic policy for European integrated border management, the Agency shall, by a decision of the management board, on the basis of a proposal from the executive director that is prepared in close cooperation with the Member States and the Commission, establish a technical and operational strategy for European integrated border management. Where justified, the Agency shall take into account the specific situations of the Member States, in particular their geographical locations. The technical and operational strategy shall be in line with Article 3 and the multiannual strategic policy for European integrated border management. It shall promote and support the implementation of European integrated border management in all Member States.

In order to implement the multiannual strategic policy for European integrated border management, the Member States shall establish national strategies for European integrated border management through close cooperation between all national authorities responsible for the management of external borders and return. Those national strategies shall be in line with Article 3, the multiannual strategic policy for European integrated border management and the technical and operational strategy.

Four years after the adoption of the multiannual strategic policy for European integrated border management, the Commission shall carry out a thorough evaluation of its implementation. The results of that evaluation shall be taken into account in the preparation of the following multiannual strategic policy cycle. Member States and the Agency shall provide the Commission with the necessary information in a timely manner for the carrying out of that evaluation. The Commission shall communicate the results of that evaluation to the European Parliament and to the Council.

Where the situation at the external borders or in the area of return requires a change of the policy priorities, the Commission shall amend the multiannual strategic policy for European integrated border management or relevant parts thereof in accordance with the procedure set out in paragraph 4.

Where the Commission amends the multiannual strategic policy as provided for in the first subparagraph, the technical and operational strategy and the national strategies shall, where necessary, be adapted.