Europe without borders. The Schengen area

The construction of the Schengen area began in 1985 when five countries signed the Schengen Agreement that set out the gradual abolition of checks at common borders. The agreement was supplemented by the 1990 Schengen Implementing Convention that set out the final abolition of internal border controls, as well as a series of necessary accompanying measures. The convention strengthened external border checks, defined procedures for issuing uniform visas, established the SIS, increased police cooperation at internal borders and improved action against drug trafficking.

ESO: Background information: Schengen - your gateway to free movement in Europe. 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/schengen-your-gateway-to-free-movement-in-europe-2015/

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