The European Commission will today propose a revision to the #Schengen Border Code - the system of passport-free travel within the EU.
We can expect some media coverage portraying this as an erosion of free movement. But that's missing the point. A thread (🧵1/7)
We can expect some media coverage portraying this as an erosion of free movement. But that's missing the point. A thread (🧵1/7)
It's often been said that the euro currency was only done halfway: monetary union without fiscal union.
The Schengen code, developed at the same time, was also done only halfway: open internal borders without common management of external borders. (🧵2/7)
The Schengen code, developed at the same time, was also done only halfway: open internal borders without common management of external borders. (🧵2/7)
When people hear Schengen they first and foremost think of passport-free travel within the EU.
But the other part of the agreement, not very well followed through on, was the new common EU external border. (🧵3/7)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_…
But the other part of the agreement, not very well followed through on, was the new common EU external border. (🧵3/7)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_…
People forget, when they see a problem at the Poland-Belarus border, that this is also Germanys border. It's France's border. It is one common travel area.
Just like for me coming from New York in the US, the Arizona-Mexico border is my border, not just Arizona's. (🧵4/7)
Just like for me coming from New York in the US, the Arizona-Mexico border is my border, not just Arizona's. (🧵4/7)
The difference is that if the US had the EU system, it would be Arizona managing that border, not the federal government.
That's the way it used to be in the US. But around the turn of the century border management transferred from the states to Washington - collectively managed
That's the way it used to be in the US. But around the turn of the century border management transferred from the states to Washington - collectively managed
A situation like the Poland-Belarus border crisis highlights the problem. Poland is left to manage everyone's border.
Poland says they're overwhelmed, but also turn down EU border management help, over sovereignty concerns. Same in Greece & Italy. (🧵6/7)
Poland says they're overwhelmed, but also turn down EU border management help, over sovereignty concerns. Same in Greece & Italy. (🧵6/7)
Today's proposal from the Commission is trying to:
🇧🇾Learn lessons of Belarus by establishing better EU control and management of external borders
😷Learn lessons from Covid by making clear rules for closing internal borders *as a last resort*. (🧵7/7)
🇧🇾Learn lessons of Belarus by establishing better EU control and management of external borders
😷Learn lessons from Covid by making clear rules for closing internal borders *as a last resort*. (🧵7/7)
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