Schengen: time to stand up and be counted

Date: 12/10/1995

Seven months after the Schengen agreement finally came into force, the project continues to be dogged by problems which some have tried to dismiss as teething troubles, but which, in reality, are far more serious.

Suspicions about the degree of French support for the project surfaced long before President Jacques Chirac took office. But frustration over French prevarication was muted in the wake of the spate of terrorist bombings in France, with member states forced to acknowledge the widespread public concern over the potential risks of a border-free Europe required some kind of response from the Chirac administration.

Now Belgium has come up with an 11-point action plan designed to iron out wrinkles in the new system and overcome French concerns about its operation. Its action is to be commended. Belgium was one of the countries which reacted most angrily when Chirac hinted last month that he might seek a further delay in implementing the agreement beyond the end of this year. But instead of trying to bully France into line, the Belgian government has recognised that the best hope of luring the French back into the fold lies in trying to address their concerns, not shouting them down.

It is now up to France to show an equally constructive attitude.

France's fears, however genuine, cannot be allowed to undermine confidence in Schengen and member countries must resolve their differences as swiftly as possible to restore the accord's credibility.

Free movement of people is one of the corner-stones of the single market and turning it into a reality would be a powerful symbol for ordinary citizens of the benefits of closer European integration.

The Commission has long recognised this, but has in the past shied away from trying to force recalcitrant countries into line. Internal Market Commissioner Mario Monti deserves praise for having the courage to take up the issue again.

It is vital that the Schengen Group finds a way out of its current difficulties before the proposal put forward by Monti for a new EU law abolishing border controls in countries outside the Schengen zone is discussed by the Council of Ministers. Otherwise opponents will point to the current problems besetting the accord as an excuse to duck their treaty obligations once again.

Freedom of movement for goods, capital and services has brought major benefits for businesses and consumers across the EU. But without the fourth freedom, that achievement is badly tarnished in the eyes of the public.

It is for that reason that Chirac's stand on Schengen is being seen as a crucial test of whether he is a true European or not. The time is fast approaching when he will have to prove with deeds rather than words that his government remains committed to the Schengen agreement and is doing all it can to ensure France complies with its obligation to fully implement the agreement quickly.