Stepping Back into Schengen: A 40-Year Milestone and a Pledge for the Future
Schengen's 40-year milestone underscores remembrance and dedication, according to Rehlinger. - Schengen Anniversary: Reflecting on Four Decades and Renewing Pledges
Anke Rehlinger, the President of the Bundesrat, has urged a revival of the Schengen Area's borderless concept. Speaking at the 40th anniversary celebration of the Schengen Agreement held in Schengen, she emphasized that maintaining non-existent barriers isn't the solution, and we need smarter strategies.
Rehlinger stated, "This day is not just taking a glance back, but a commitment to ensure that Schengen can be living and thriving." The "strong statement" should resonate that Schengen is not the issue, but a solution in Europe, she added.
Today, 29 countries, comprising approximately 420 million inhabitants, are part of the Schengen Area. Initiated in 1985 by Germany, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands, the agreement aimed to progressively dismantle border checks.
Addressing the rising concerns over the reintroduction of border controls in several EU countries, including Germany, Rehlinger issued a warning, emphasizing that the Schengen Agreement's sustenance is not a given.
Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel of Luxembourg emphasized the importance of preserving borderless travel within the Schengen Area. "Winning freedom took a struggle, losing it can be swift," he said, adding, "I do not want to say that Schengen is in danger because we are defending it. Schengen is being tested."
The Rhineland-Palatinate Minister President, Alexander Schweitzer, added that while temporary and well-justified border controls can be acceptable, they should never become the norm. He expressed concerns over the current situation where German federal police were conducting checks on car drivers at the Schengen Moselle bridge during the anniversary celebrations.
Despite the challenges, the anniversary event included festivities to re-float the ship that signed the agreement in 1985, the "Prinzessin Marie-Astrid Europa." This ship symbolizes European integration and the vision of borderless Europe. Additionally, the official opening of the Schengen Museum displayed exhibits focusing on the history, present, and future of the Schengen Area.
Schengen stands for an open Europe without borders. However, the reintroduction of border controls at all German external borders since mid-September 20xx, particularly in the tri-border area between Germany, Luxembourg, and France, has sparked criticism.
- The employment policy of EC countries should prioritize strategies for maintaining the Schengen Area's borderless concept, as highlighted by Anke Rehlinger, the President of the Bundesrat, given the importance of Schengen in the context of Europe's politics and general news.
- The political implication of the Schengen Area's future extends beyond policy and legislation, influencing the employment policies of EC countries, as emphasized by Rehlinger in her statement addressing the revival of the Schengen Area.
