On Monday, 30 November, the first Schengen Forum took place, where the European Commission launched a political debate on strengthening the Schengen Area.
On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the Schengen Area, the forum was opened by the President of the European Commission, Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen, who emphasized the establishment of the Schengen Area as one of the European Union's most important achievements and integration, as well as appropriate security measures.
Given the resurgence of internal border controls as a result of certain crises (migration, Covid-19), the President of the European Commission emphasized the need for a regular political dialogue to discuss measures to ensure the normal functioning of the Schengen Area.
The participants of the Forum acknowledged that the Schengen Area, which guarantees the four fundamental freedoms, is one of the European Union's most visible and major achievements and that every effort must be made to ensure the smooth functioning of the Schengen Area in the future. It has also been repeatedly emphasized that the reintroduction of internal border controls is a last resort.
The main topics of discussion were strengthening the governance of the Schengen Area, improving the Schengen evaluation mechanism, using alternative measures to reintroduce border controls, better management of the European Union's external borders, and improving police cooperation and information exchange.
The Forum noted that a number of initiatives have already been adopted to strengthen the functioning of the Schengen Area, so that their qualitative implementation should be a priority. The capacity of the Frontex agency to strengthen and manage external borders, as well as the capacity of Europol, needs to be strengthened.
Next April, the European Commission will host the second meeting of the Schengen Forum, and in May it will present new initiatives by the European Union, including a future Schengen strategy aimed at strengthening the functioning of the Schengen Area.
The first Schengen Forum was attended by representatives of the European Parliament, the responsible Commissioners, as well as the Ministers of the Interior of the European Union and the Schengen Member States, including the associated countries. The aim of the forum is to promote cooperation and political dialogue in order to address existing challenges and create a more sustainable Schengen Area.
Schengen covers 22 EU Member States and four associated countries and is one of the greatest achievements of European Union integration, enabling the four freedoms of free movement of goods, persons, services and capital, contributing to the effective functioning of the single market and economic growth.
Prepared:
Ministry of the Interior
Communication department