The Entry/Exit System (EES), a priority file identified in the Joint Declaration on legislative priorities for 2017, received the political backing of the European Parliament and the Council last week. Proposed by the Commission in April 2016, the system will register entry and exit data of non-EU nationals crossing the EU’s external borders. This will allow for a better oversight of authorised short stays, detection of over-stayers and overall modernisation of EU external border management. As reiterated in the European Council Conclusions of 22-23 June 2017, the Entry-Exist System, together with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), will contribute to enhancing external border control and internal security. First Vice-President Frans Timmermans said: “We welcome the political support of the European Parliament and the Council. Now we need to push forward with modernising our EU border management and strengthen security for our citizens.“Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos said: “After the introduction of systematic checks on all travellers crossing EU external borders and the successful launch of the European Border and Coast Guard, this is another building block to make our external borders smarter and more secure while guaranteeing mobility.” Commissioner for the Security Union Julian King said: “The Entry/Exit system will enhance our internal security by making the external borders stronger, thereby bringing us one step closer to achieving full interoperability of EU information systems by 2020.” The discussions on the proposal will now continue between the European Parliament and the Council at technical level. The final text will then have to be formally adopted by both co-legislators.