SCHENGEN STRIPPED

Schengen is the agreement signed in 1985 creating a single, “border-free” territory inside the European Union. It was a big step, not only for European integration, but also, and especially, for the creation and development of European citizenship. Schengen not only allows citizens of signatory states to cross borders without passports, it also fosters convergence and understanding between them. Schengen is recognised by European citizens not just as one of the key pillars of the EU but as its main achievement. Nevertheless, the refugee crisis is calling those achievements into question along with the viability and continuity of this right.