During the plenary session of the European Prliament in Brussels, MEPs discuss ways and means to lift border controls and related travel restrictions and are set to demand that internal borders be swiftly reopened and free movement re-established.

Brussels

debate

plenary session

Schengen reform package (T)

LÓPEZ AGUILAR, Juan Fernando (S&D, ES)

Free movement of persons (T2)

JOHANSSON, Ylva (SE, EC)

BRNJAC, Nikolina (HR)

Coronavirus outbreak (T)

economic situation in Europe (T)

Situation in the Schengen area following the Covid-19 outbreak: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Juan Fernando L&#211;PEZ AGUILAR (S&amp;D, ES), Author, We need to talk about Schengen primarily because it's not in good health, because Schengen is at stake.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Juan Fernando L&Oacute;PEZ AGUILAR (S&amp;D, ES), Author,  What is happening with Schengen? Following Covid, because the member states rushed to adopt unilateral measures. They weren't coordinated. They weren't communicated amongst themselves. Reestablishing internal borders in the union, which led to extremely long queues at internal borders, overburdening of police forces. Problems in the supply of essential goods and also for seasonal workers also protected under European law. All of these are issues we have to discuss as a part of the oral question. And that's why I put quite clearly that firstly, do you consider that the measures and restrictions that were imposed are in line with the Schengen border code?

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Juan Fernando L&Oacute;PEZ AGUILAR (S&amp;D, ES), Author,  How do you foresee Schengen recovery? We've got a recovery plan. How can we ensure that Schengen recovers and is fully operate operational A.S.A.P.? How can we ensure that checks are exceptional as laid down in the border code and limited in time, time framed extremely strictly? And then what practical measures can we adopt to ensure coordination and coordinated responsibility? Obviously by the Commission as the guardian of the treaties and European law, when faced with these common challenges,

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Juan Fernando L&Oacute;PEZ AGUILAR (S&amp;D, ES), Author, European law matters, especially in times of crisis, especially in terms of Covid. So after this oral question we conclude with a resolution that bets on the restablishment. Full recovery for Schengen, full restablishment of its health teh most appreciated asset of the European construction ever.

SOUNDBITE (English), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, According to the Schengen border code, the reintroduction and prolongation of temporary internal border controls as a last resort and in response to a serious threat to public health and take place at the discretion of the member states. Their application is, of course, subject to the fulfillment of the conditions set out in the relevant provisions. Neither the commission, as the guardian of the treaty nor any member state has signaled any issue related to compliance with these conditions.

SOUNDBITE (English), Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency,  I would like to stress that since the outbreak of the pandemic, all member states have been working tirelessly with the political steering of the council and the coordinating support of the commission in order to mitigate the side effects of the both measures on the free movement of their citizens.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, All member states took drastic measures to protect our citizens from the virus. Most Ch'ing and countries introduced temporary internal border controls in addition to other measures restricting free movement across the European Union. Altogether, these measures help to save tens of thousands of lives, but are seriously serious consequences for the freedom of movement and a large social and economic cost.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs,  On the 5th of April this year, the president of the European Commission and the president, the European Council presented a joint European roadmap towards lifting covered 19 containment measures in line with the principles established in this roadmap. The commission presented on the set in the May a communication setting out a coordinated, balanced and phased approach for lifting travel restrictions and controls at internal borders.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs,  The commission is of the opinion that EU member states and Schengen states complied with the requirements of the Schengen border code.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, 4

SOUNDBITE (English), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, We have to be able to provide in case some part of pandemic's a coherent EU response to internal and external borders. Currently, the EU can only intervene in case of serious, persistent threats at external borders, putting the overall functioning of the Schengen area at risk. Covid shows the need for better anticipation and for simplified or standardized procedures to be followed under the pressure of events. 