The EU member states have pledged to strengthen the functioning of the Schengen Area without internal borders on the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Schengen Agreement.
In a joint declaration, they emphasised that the restoration of internal border controls within the European Union should remain an extreme measure. The Czech Republic was represented at the celebrations in Schengen, Luxembourg, by Interior Minister Vit Rakusan.
On the anniversary of the signing of the agreement, EU ministers agreed on a joint Schengen Declaration. The three-page document emphasises the importance of the Schengen Area and lists the priority tasks for member states in the future. These include investment in innovation and new technologies, appropriate funding, as well as an effective visa policy, border management and cooperation with third countries on the return of unsuccessful asylum seekers to the European Union. The document also refers to joint and coordinated solutions to the challenges facing Schengen.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to defend the fundamental principles of the Schengen area, such as free movement, security and mutual trust, and thus ensure that Schengen continues to serve European citizens in the coming decades,” the Schengen Declaration states.
According to the declaration, the European Union is currently facing complex threats, including foreign interference, the instrumentalisation of migration and other hybrid actions. Given that criminals are increasingly using new technologies, the EU must jointly address current and future threats with improved tools, the document adds.
“We will defend the unrestricted free movement of people, which is at the heart of our Schengen policy, by ensuring that the restoration of internal border controls remains an exceptional measure,” the EU ministers pledged. The celebrations were also attended by European Commission Vice-President Henna Wirkkunen and European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner.
The document also emphasises that it is the EU, not smugglers and traffickers, that should decide who can enter Europe. According to the declaration, it is the protection of the EU’s external borders that contributes to the security of the entire Schengen Area.
Derogation from the Schengen Agreement
The Schengen Agreements on the free movement of persons, which entered into force 30 years ago on March 26, 1995, create an area without internal border controls in which its residents can move freely and member states cooperate on internal affairs and justice. The common borders between member countries can be crossed anywhere, except for national restrictions (like national parks or protected natural areas). The first agreement was signed by Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, France, and the Netherlands on June 14, 1985 in Schengen, Luxembourg.
However, in recent years, several countries have reintroduced controls at their internal borders. For example, Germany has been controlling its border with Austria since 2015 due to migration, and in October 2023, checks began at the borders with the Czech Republic, Poland and Switzerland.
Last September, border security measures were tightened with France, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark. In early May, Germany’s new interior minister, Alexander Dobrindt, even announced further tightening of the regime.
Before the start of the migration crisis in 2015, border controls in the Schengen Area were mainly limited to short-term measures, such as political summits or sporting events. According to the European Commission, controls are currently in place to some extent in 12 Schengen countries.
The Czech Republic joined the Schengen Area in December 2007. It comprises 29 countries — 25 EU Member States, as well as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Cyprus and Ireland are not members of the Schengen Area from the EU, but participate in the Schengen Area partially, while maintaining border controls.
