Luxembourg – If the European Union wants to maintain the existence of the Schengen area, it must prevent uncontrolled movement of migrants across its external borders, said Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan today in Luxembourg. He emphasized that any measures and controls at internal borders should be temporary.
“I am from the generation that first experienced absolute freedom in the 90s, hitchhiking across Europe, traveling, scholarship stays, and so on,” noted the minister, adding that the subsequent entry into the Schengen area brought him a deep sense of happiness.
“Therefore, as a politician, I consider Schengen to be something that creates a specific value that every EU citizen can see,” Rakušan added. Any long-term restriction of this achievement, in his view, is a step in the wrong direction. “We urge that measures be taken that are proportionate to the current risk,” the Czech minister added. “I understand the internal politics of individual countries, but if we want to keep Schengen alive, which I consider essential, we must prevent illegal migration from crossing the external borders,” he added.
The Schengen agreements on the free movement of persons, which came into effect 30 years ago on March 26, 1995, create a space without controls at internal borders, where its residents can move freely and its member countries cooperate on internal and justice matters. In recent years, however, several countries have reintroduced controls at internal borders. For example, Germany has been controlling its border with Austria since 2015 due to migration, and in October 2023, controls began at the borders with the Czech Republic, Poland, and Switzerland. Last September, border security was added with France, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark.
According to data from the European Commission, 11 countries in the Schengen area are currently conducting controls at various levels. The Czech Republic became part of Schengen in December 2007. It includes 29 countries – 25 EU states and also Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Cyprus and Ireland are not members of the Schengen area from the EU, which partially participates in the Schengen area but still conducts border controls. (June 13)