On 26 March 1995, the Schengen Agreement, which abolished border controls at the internal borders of Germany, France, the Benelux states, Spain and Portugal, came into force. Today there is unrestricted movement of persons between 26 European states – at least on paper. However, in times of political hardship, border closures remain an instrument of choice of national government, comments Dr. Linn Selle, president of European Movement Germany, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the creation of the Schengen area.

“Schengen is a direct symbol of recognition, that problems cannot be banished behind borders”, she wrote in a statement, published on Twitter. “Finding solutions, not at the expense of the neighbours, but together – that is the core of European unity. The Corona pandemic exposes how quickly this insight is thrown overboard, in favour of nationalist reflexes: Instead of consequently closing down regional high-risk areas, national borders were closed arbitrarily. European solidarity and trust in the common clout would look differently. Corona is a stress test for European unity. As things stand today the balance shows: the member states have not passed it.”

This is not a new phenomenon, comments Selle: “Essentially, since the refugee crisis of 2015 the Schengen-system is out of order.”

Now, it is imperative that the effects of the Corona pandemic are fought together: “What counts henceforth, is coordination, reciprocal support, and solidarity. Essentially, precisely the values that were at the core of the creation of the Schengen area. On the 25th anniversary of its creation, this raises a small hope that at least the spirit of the agreement retains its relevance.”

Read the full statement here.