Yes to open borders: Happy Birthday Schengen!
Over the weekend, the small, historic Luxembourg municipality celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement. On 14 June 1985, this agreement was signed on the Princesse Marie-Astrid by representatives of the five EC member states France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Today, the Schengen area comprises a total of 29 countries.
The central importance of the Schengen Agreement lies in the abolition of stationary border controls between the participating countries. The agreement is considered one of the greatest achievements in the history of the EU and has significantly advanced European integration.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement, we at Volt Europa were also there to commemorate its significance and stand up for a united Europe. We were able to view the original document on the newly renovated ship and visit the Schengen Museum.
The celebrations were overshadowed by border controls, which are now being carried out not only in Germany but in eleven countries in the Schengen area. This symbolic policy is not only an imposition on commuters and restricts our freedom of travel and trade, it also jeopardises our European values. Volt therefore strongly condemns these border controls (Our statement on the border controls).
European cohesion is more important today than ever before, as it is a shield against global uncertainties and a key to shaping the future: Whether it is climate change, migration, pandemics or geopolitical tensions, no EU country can tackle these challenges alone. Only together can Europe carry weight on the world stage and defend its values. With new threats at its external borders and an uncertain transatlantic relationship, European security and defence policy is also coming increasingly into focus. Trade conflicts with China and the US, supply chain problems and technological dependencies show that Europe must become more economically sovereign.
If the spirit of Schengen leaves our countries and our hearts, we will lose much more than the Schengen area.
(Jean-Claude Juncker, former President of the European Commission)