Press Release: The EU needs to overcome fear and divisions to safeguard Schengen, say MEPs

The European Parliament's plenary session held on 2 February 2016 a debate with the Dutch presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Commission regarding the migration crisis and the threats facing the Schengen agreement.

Many MEPs stated the European Union needed to overcome its paralysing fears and divisions and to manage migration and refugee flows effectively. The chamber also considered that protecting the EU's external borders effectively was vital to safeguard the Schengen passport-free area.

Some also called for zero tolerance of racist and violent attacks against migrants and refugees.

ESO: Background information: MEPs debate relocation, hotspots, Schengen and Dublin rules with Avramopoulos http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-meps-debate-relocation-hotspots-schengen-and-dublin-rules-with-avramopoulos/

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: SPEECH/16/215, 02.02.16: Remarks by Commissioner Avramopoulos to the European Parliament Plenary Session http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-16-215_en.htm

EurActiv, 03.02.16: MEPs migration debate turns into ‘stress test’ of European values http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/meps-migration-debate-turns-stress-test-european-values-321534

Euro|Topics: Debates, 04.02.16: Is Schengen on the verge of collapse? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/152480/is-schengen-on-the-verge-of-collapse

ESO: Background information: 'Schengen': a race against the time or a fools’ game? http://www.europeansources.info/record/schengen-a-race-against-the-time-or-a-fools-game/

Politico, 08.02.16: Schengen sours on Schengen http://www.politico.eu/article/schengen-against-eu-border-policy-agreement/

EUObserver, 05.02.16: Transport to lose billions from EU border checks https://euobserver.com/justice/132156

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