The Schengen area in crisis – the temptation of reinstalling borders

2015 was to herald the 30th anniversary of the Schengen cooperation, a symbolic stage in its development. It seemed that all conditions would be met to celebrate one of the most important achievements in European integration. However, the terrorist attacks that occurred in Europe at the beginning of 2015, along with the significant rise in the number of asylum seekers - Syrians, Eritreans; Afghans, Iraqis etc. at the end of the summer each led, in their own way, to Schengen finding itself in the dock.

As a result, events in 2015 have meant that certain States have privileged unilateral interpretation and also action to the detriment of a collective approach, which was however required in a collective context. The result has been a weakening of the Schengen Area in which the unprecedented re-establishment of internal borders brings it face to face with prophecies of its demise. Although the Schengen Area is in a "comatose" state, as highlighted by the President of the European Commission, it is vital to put forward the treatment we have to give it in order to keep it alive.

ESO: Background information: Back to Schengen: Commission proposes Roadmap for restoring fully functioning Schengen system http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-back-to-schengen-commission-proposes-roadmap-for-restoring-fully-functioning-schengen-system/

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