17 October Schengen executive committee

Summary:

The Schengen free-movement zone moved a step closer to expansion northwards at the latest meeting of its executive committee. Political agreement was reached on a draft cooperation accord with Norway and Iceland, and the group decided to press ahead with extending full membership to Denmark, Sweden and Finland. Given the sensitivity of the status of Norway and Iceland as non-EU countries, the cooperation agreements take particular account of “their special circumstances”, according to a statement released after the meeting. In effect, they will be consulted on policy-making, but will not have any official input when it comes to final decisions. Iceland and Norway will be given a free choice of whether to accept Schengen policy or leave the cooperation accord. The executive committee confirmed it would sign the agreements at the next ministerial meeting on 19 December. “The aim is to extend the Schengen area for the free movement of persons to the five countries of the Nordic Passport Union,” said current Schengen president, Luxembourg Justice Minister Marc Fischbach.