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The Commission has once again called on Tallinn to lift the stricter requirements for crossing the EU’s external border, introduced almost a decade ago, as such factors run counter to Schengen rules.
The subject of the dispute, which has been going on for many years, is the land border crossing rules that came into force in the country in 2011, according to which passengers leaving EU territory pay to queue and use the waiting area.
Tallinn later on Friday rejected an EC warning stating that the measures that caused the dispute were related to the organization of traffic and not border controls, and therefore did not consider its actions a violation of the rules of the Schengen area. .
“The procedures and measures introduced by Estonia are not related to the regulation of Schengen border rules and cannot contradict them,” said Interior Minister Mart Helme.
He stressed that these measures “are not related to border control, patrol and surveillance.”
“This is a dispute that has been developing for many years, where Estonia and the European Commission have different points of view,” added the minister.
However, Estonia has two months to respond to the latest allegations from the EC; otherwise, infringement proceedings may be initiated.
Brussels has also decided to warn Estonia of the incorrect application of the EU rules against racism and xenophobia.
The European Commission noted that Tallinn was not fighting hard enough against hate speech, as well as Holocaust denial, and called for certain provisions of the Penal Code to be toughened.
Romania received a similar call on Friday. Both parties must respond to the Commission within two months.
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