Schengen Forum, 30 November 2020

Summary:

The first ever Schengen Forum was held on 30 November 2020 via video conference.

Further information:

The Forum was convened by the European Commission and gathered members of the European Parliament and Home Affairs ministers with the aims of fostering cooperation and political dialogue and rebuilding trust. It allowed for constructive exchanges towards building a stronger and more resilient Schengen area.

The discussions focused on: 

• Improving the mechanism to evaluate the implementation of the Schengen rules;
• Finding a way forward on the revision of the Schengen Borders Code;
• Better managing the EU's external borders;
• Enhancing police cooperation and information exchange;
• Strengthening the governance of the Schengen area.

Discussions held at the Forum fed into an upcoming Schengen to be presented by the European Commission.

The Schengen Forum was first announced by the European Commission as part of its New Pact on Migration and Asylum to support work to update and adapt Schengen rules to evolving challenges. Schengen Forum was scheduled to meet regularly both at political or technical levels.

Official

European Commission: Press Release, 30/11/2020: First Schengen Forum: Towards a stronger and more resilient Schengen area https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_20_2232

European Commission: Speech by President von der Leyen at the Schengen Forum (30 November 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/SPEECH_20_2257

European Commission: Remarks by Vice-President Schinas at the Schengen Forum (30 November 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_20_2264

European Commission: Keynote address by Commissioner Johansson at the Schengen Forum (30 November 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_20_2263

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