The United Kingdom and France confirmed their willingness to collaborate on the implementation of the new EU biometric entry system.
Last week, UK’s Transport Secretary Mark Harper met his French counterpart Clément Beaune in Paris in an effort to prepare the countries for the upcoming implementation of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES).
The EES is a biometric border control program to register travelers from third-countries every time they cross an EU external border. The new system will replace the current system of manual stamping of passports.
The EES was meant to take full effect in May 2022, but its deadline was recently delayed to the end of 2023 by European Union authorities.
The travel industry has expressed widespread concerns over the new system, fearing that the new biometric technology will cause border delays.
Despite all concerns, Harper confirmed the UK government’s commitment to working together with France to ensure the new border control program works for both countries and all passengers.
During the meeting with his French counterpart, Harper highlighted the importance of keeping “reliable, quick, and safe travel routes” between the two countries.
Our two nations continue to build on the deep and longstanding Anglo-French relationship, and it’s been a pleasure to meet my colleague, Clement Beaune, to discuss our shared priorities.
Mark Harper, UK’s Transport Secretary
Harper also held a meeting with officials of the Getlink Group, the company that manages Channel Tunnel and Shuttle transportation between England and France. He emphasized the “UK’s willingness to support preparations ahead of the implementation of EES.”
