A new "threat" has recently emerged on the horizon for Euro-sceptics: the European Commission has issued a new plan that, in the long term, envisages the creation of a European Border Guard System.

In practice, that would mean that, at some point after joining the EU, Poland's borders with Belarus would be patrolled by mixed groups of, for example, Poles, Germans, Dutch, and French guards.

For the time being, this is just a proposal, raised by the Commission some weeks ago, and supported by many of the ministers from member states as well, but not by all. When the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council discussed the issue, the majority seemed to be ready to swallow it in the long term, though the Scandinavian trio were more reluctant. Nonetheless, it is a topic that is now on the table and worth considering, because the logic behind it should override skeptics' fears that sovereignty might be lost.

But, first of all, one thing needs to be underlined: Brussels has certainly not proposed that after joining the EU  it would simply be pooled with others who accept the same principles.

Lack of shared experiences

At present, though, there is a reluctance to accept that level of trust. That is understandable: after all, there is a lack of shared experiences. International border guards would build up trust. It is a logical reflex for a Belgian to feel more secure if he knows that Belgian border guards are patrolling the EU's borders with Ukraine, Belarus, or even Macedonia or Serbia. (And it should be remembered that this would be a reciprocal arrangement: once the system is operating smoothly, Czech, Slovak, Hungarian border guards would work at Finish-Russian checkpoints and guard Portugal's maritime border.)

And one last point: an international border guard service would ease the burden on countries on the EU's periphery. That is only logical — after all, if the new EU members are expected to guard the EU's common territory on its borders with Ukraine, Serbia and Belarus, then the other member states should contribute somehow, with equipment, with personnel, and yes, with hard cash. And that is also what the Commission's plan calls for.

There are signs that the Union's current member states are increasingly reluctant to make huge financial sacrifices, adding to uncertainty about the future of the common agricultural policy or regional subsidies. Money could, therefore, potentially be an obstacle to the border-patrols plan. But more and more people in Brussels believe that home affairs and the law are critical areas where more integration is needed. It is evident to everyone that a key to strengthening law and order and the public's sense of security is more efficient cooperation between member-states. As we know: criminality doesn't respect borders — particularly when there are none. International external border controls could prove to be a core element in enhanced cooperation. — GVNN/Transitions Online

GYORGY FORIS is a regular columnist for TOL. He is based in Brussels.