Following the unprecedented developments in North Africa, voices have been raised for cutting the freedoms of the Schengen agreement that allows for free travel within Europe to combat illegal migration. If needed, the rules of the Schengen agreement can already be adjusted in exceptional circumstances. European Liberals warn to open this pandora’s box of changing treaties as it is the axe to the idea of an open Europe, which is one of the cornerstones of the EU.

Europe was caught by surprise by the Arab liberation process. In no time, lifetime dictators were removed through popular uprising – and the effects are still being felt all over the region, most visibly now in Libya, Syria and Yemen.

European Liberals wholeheartedly welcome these developments. People in the Arab world have all too long suffered from a lack of freedom. This process is likely to be the chance of a lifetime, which we cannot afford to lose.

We cannot afford either to infringe the fundamental European right of freedom of movement. The Schengen agreement is based on mutual trust – trust that has been there for some 25 years and served the Union’s citizens well. Dissolving Schengen would not only hamper the EU’s Single Market – it would also have unfortunate side effects for mutual trust, trade and development within the European Union.

Naturally, the events in the Middle East pressure the EU to address its migration policies. In the long run, the EU needs a common response on both legal and illegal migration as well as immediate humanitarian assistance in the short term.

Therefore, European Liberals call for the EU’s leaders to stay clear of removing key parts of our common European home, as summed up by ELDR Party President Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck MEP: “These are challenging times. But should we really dismantle what has been good for the EU’s citizens for short-sighted, national concerns? Our answer is clearly no. We need to find solutions to assist both these people that are fleeing affected areas as well as our European countries struggling to cope up with the amount of people landing on their shores. But investing in such temporary measures could help us establish a democratic neighbourhood to the benefit of all, not least the populations of North Africa. European Liberals remain open to temporary measures that allow for coping with this – but stay adamant that we need more, not less of an open Europe for future prosperity”.

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On 6-7 May 2011, against the background of the present brutal crackdown of the Syrian democracy movement by the Assad regime, liberal leaders from across the globe will gather in Cairo, Egypt on to discuss the historic events and democratic revolutions that are shattering the Arab region.

Including ELDR Party President Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck MEP and liberal group leader in the European Parliament Guy Verhofstadt MEP, international and Arab liberals will discuss the liberal way forward how to build a lasting open society based on fundamental liberal values.