EU warns migrants ‘it’s all for nothing,’ as plans to restore Schengen take shape

EU President Donald Tusk on Thursday issued a stark warning to economic migrants not to come to Europe, as he castigated countries for taking unilateral action to tackle the crisis. The border restrictions have left Greece with a huge bottleneck of people as Macedonia lets only a trickle through, and the EU estimates the number stranded there in miserable conditions could be as high as 12,000.

Do not believe the smugglers. Do not risk your lives and your money. It is all for nothing.

EU President Donald Tusk

The crisis has raised fears for the EU’s Schengen passport-free zone as more states bring back border controls. But AFP sources in Brussels said the EU would unveil a “roadmap” on Friday to restore the Schengen zone by November. The plan includes quickly creating an EU coast guard system and strengthening Greece’s external border, the main point of entry for refugees and migrants to Europe. The plan, which comes ahead of a crucial summit on Monday between the EU and Turkey, the main launching point for migrants crossing the Aegean Sea, and sets May 12 as the deadline for Greece to strengthen its external border. If it fails to do so, Brussels could theoretically allow border controls within the Schengen area for up to two years, instead of the normal period of six months.

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