A Call for Revitalizing the Schengen: 40 Years Later - A Warning and a Pledge
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Schengen Anniversary Serves as a Reminder and Pledge of Four Decades, According to Rehlinger - Schengen Anniversary: A Reflection and Reaffirmation of Four Decades, as Voiced by Rehlinger
President of the Bundesrat, Anke Rehlinger (SPD), advocates for a reimagined Schengen area free of border controls. "Frankly speaking, living in a border region, we need something more intelligent than having border guards watching nonexistent barriers," said the Minister President of Saarland. She voiced this sentiment at the celebration marking the 40th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement in Schengen, Luxembourg.
Rehlinger emphasized that this milestone isn't solely about reminiscing; it's a commitment towards ensuring that the Schengen vision can continue to thrive. "This isn't just a day for looking back, but also for making a promise that Schengen can persevere in our ever-evolving Europe," she stated.
Schengen stands for an open, borderless Europe. Approaching its 40th year, the agreement boasts 29 participating countries with a combined population of around 420 million.
Rehlinger's call comes as a "warning" to stay vigilant and confront the challenges that lie ahead. She highlighted the temporary reinstatement of border controls in various EU countries, including Germany, as a testament to the need to remain alert.
The watershed agreement between Germany, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands in Schengen on June 14, 1985, aimed to dismantle border controls gradually.
Luxembourg's Foreign Minister, Xavier Bettel, lent his voice to defense of borderless travel within the Schengen area. "Gaining our freedom was no walk in the park. Losing it couldn't be easier. Here's hoping we don't undo all that we've fought for," he said. "I wouldn't go as far as saying that Schengen is in grave danger, but it certainly is under duress," Bettel added.
Bettel argued that external border crises and migration cannot be solved by further restricting travel. He urged against the rising tide of nationalism and demanded solidarity among the 27 EU member states.
Rhineland-Palatinate Minister President, Alexander Schweitzer (SPD), weighed in on the matter. He conceded that temporary, localized, and justified border controls were necessary for nations to secure their borders. However, Schweitzer cautioned against becoming too reliant on such measures, suggesting that the delicate balance between security and open borders must be maintained.
Controversy surrounding border checks even graced the Schengen anniversary itself, with German federal police conducting checks on car drivers crossing the German-Luxembourg border via the Moselle bridge. Despite the contradictions to Schengen on display, Schweitzer acknowledged that this state of affairs represents the complex European reality we currently face.
As a symbol of European integration and the vision of a borderless Europe, the ship "Princess Marie-Astrid Europa," which was present at the signing of the agreement in 1985, returned to Schengen on the anniversary day. For a temporary period, the historic ship will be stationed at the old dock, allowing visitors to explore its rich history.
Another addition to the town of Schengen is the new Schengen Museum, which offers an in-depth look into the past, present, and potential future of the Schengen Agreement. The total cost of these projects is estimated at approximately 18 million euros.
- The EC countries must reevaluate their employment policies to ensure they align with the Schengen's vision of open borders, as advocated by President Anke Rehlinger, considering the Schengen Agreement's 40th anniversary as a commitment to the region's future.
- The Schengen Agreement's 40th anniversary serves as a reminder that the politics shaping general news, such as the need for vigilance in addressing the challenges faced by the Schengen area and the importance of solidarity among the EU member states, should significantly influence employment policies in the EC countries.
