French authorities on Saturday temporarily restricted the use of the European Union’s new digital passport control system in the British port of Dover. At the beginning of the long weekend, there were traffic jams and passengers had to wait for two hours in some cases for the ferry across the English Channel to France. TASR informs about it according to the report of the DPA agency.
The port authority in the south-east of England announced that fIn an attempt to alleviate the difficult situation in the port, the Rancuz Border Police (PAF) temporarily suspended the operation of the EES system (controls of entry into and exit from the EU). Thanks to this, he will be able to significantly reduce the time required for check-in. Normal passport controls will continue.
According to the statement it was the first busy period since the recent introduction of the EES. The crowded port, which serves as the departure point for ferries to Calais in northern France, showed long lines of cars, according to footage released.
Concerns about the system were raised by some carriers and passengers, especially in Britain, which left the EU in 2020. The route to Calais is popular with British tourists, especially at the beginning of the half-yearly school holidays. AFP reported.
According to the European Commission, the EES system replaces physical stamps in passports and, through digital registration, makes travel to Europe more efficient and safer. It was officially launched in April at all external border crossings of the 29 participating countries. It is used by 25 of the 27 EU member states (with the exception of Ireland and Cyprus) and Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, which are not EU members but are part of the Schengen area.
