News > EMI: new rules transform Schengen into a truly European system

EMI: new rules transform Schengen into a truly European system

EMI: NEW RULES TRANSFORM SCHENGEN INTO A TRULY EUROPEAN SYSTEM
Brussels – The European Movement International (EMI) welcomes the adoption of the Schengen Governance Package by the European Parliament today, which will bring increased European governance to an area which was previously based solely on the good will of Member States.
Open borders and the right of European citizens to move freely within the EU are among the most visible and important achievements of European integration as well as a symbol of European unity.
Jo Leinen, President of the European Movement International (EMI), said:
"The new Schengen rules will ensure that a temporary reintroduction of border controls remains an exception based on clear conditions and prohibit uncontrolled unilateral actions and political games by Member States as we have seen in the past."
Member States will be accountable to each other and to the European Union for their decisions regarding the introduction of temporary border controls for both foreseeable and unforeseeable events. Migration will not be considered to be a possible reason for the reinstatement of controls at internal borders, the EMI emphasized.
President Leinen continued saying: "A stronger role for the European Parliament, the only directly elected EU-institution, would have been preferable in the supervision of the application of the Schengen rules and the decision-making process, but the Europeanization of the Schengen system is clearly a step forward."
Member States can reintroduce controls for more than six month only as a measure of last resort and only in cases where a Member State is seriously and continuously breaching the Schengen acquis, thus putting at risk the whole Schengen area. The decision has to be taken on a proposal of the European Commission and with a two thirds vote of the Foreign Affairs Council.
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Editor’s Note: The European Movement International (EMI) is one of the largest pan and pro-European civil society organisation with currently more than 70 Member Organisations, bringing together representatives from European associations, political parties, enterprises and trade unions.