Importance of the Schengen Agreement

Since its foundation in 1957 the European Union it has become a territory where its inhabitants have a framework of shared interests. In addition to the single currency, there is a whole series of common policies: aid for agriculture, scholarships to study abroad, elimination of tariffs on exports, agreements trade with other parts of the world, recognition of university degrees from different nations etc

In the town of Schengen in Luxembourg, one of the fundamental agreements of the European Union was signed in 1985

The so-called Schengen area refers to the possibility of traveling through EU countries without border controls. Basically, all of Europe is made to be like a single state.

Almost all the EU countries are part of this space and other nations have also joined, such as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. This treaty also benefits non-European citizens, since if they have a visa in a country integrated within Schengen they can move freely within it. With this zone free of border controls, both citizens and companies benefit. Police-type controls are only carried out when there is a threat to security or suspicions related to organized crime.

In order to improve the information system between the different European police forces, two specific programmes: the Schengen Information System (SIS) and the Visa Information System (VIS).

A program to improve controls at the EU's external borders has been launched in recent years. In short, this agreement is intended to promote the integration of the EU without harming security systems.

An agreement that is in danger due to the massive flow of refugees

In recent years, the European territory has received waves of refugees and asylum seekers from countries such as Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan or Pakistan. Due to this, some countries are overwhelmed and for this reason border controls have been reintroduced.

If this measure were extended, it could mean the de facto end of the Schengen Agreement. This circumstance could represent an obstacle for the industry European, since its production system depends on the free movement of goods.

In this scenario, border controls would cause retentions and traffic jams, which would end up increasing production costs.

It must be remembered that a high percentage of the foreign trade French or German is done within the borders of the European Union.

For some analysts, the new border controls should be better harmonized and maintain the same criteria in all EU countries.

Images: Fotolia – Anna, Francovolpato