Luxembourg, 7 October 2015
Ladies and gentlemen,
First of all, I would like to thank the organisers of this Conference, the President of the University of Luxembourg Mr Rainer Klump, the Minister of Interior of Slovenia Ms Vesna Györkös Žnidar and my friend and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Luxembourg Mr Jean Asselborn.
It is with sincere enthusiasm that I am here with you today. We are at an important crossroads for the future of European borders but also European unity.
This year, we celebrate 30 years of existence of the Schengen agreement. And while 30 years may seem like a long time, I would like to remind us all here that we should not take it for granted.
Removing borders, ensuring safety and building trust took many years after two devastating world wars.
I still vividly remember the time of the stamps in our passports, the time lost at border crossings and all the other inconveniences and I’m sure I’m not the only one here.
The creation of the Schengen area is one of the greatest achievements of the EU and it is irreversible.
It was free movement that made Europe look like home, and it united us.
To jump on a train or hop in the car and visit your neighbours, without giving borders a second thought touches upon the daily life of millions of our citizens to this day.
Schengen is an economic reality in the daily lives of Europe’s citizens, of the millions of people who cross the area’s internal borders; be it for business, leisure or for any other reason.
I believe this is one of the biggest achievements ever of the EU.
I think I can speak on behalf of everyone that we intend to keep this freedom in the future.
But we of course cannot be blind to the changing realities of our globalised world.
As you know, the unprecedented refugee crisis which we are currently witnessing is a major challenge for the Schengen area.
Some Member States, whose borders are under immense pressure, decided to temporarily reintroduce internal border controls, as foreseen by the Schengen rules.
But let me be clear: this development does not and cannot mean the end of Schengen; It does not mean the end of border-free Europe.
The only real risk that we could potentially face is a lack of unity and solidarity between the Member States.
And this is precisely what me and the whole Commission are endeavouring to avoid and prevent.
On security concerns: criminals, terrorists, know no borders anyway: they always have sophisticated ways of action.
This is why the answer to the threats is not the abolition of Schengen.
Quite the opposite: Schengen means also more security, if everyone properly uses its tools.
The answer is the better use of the Schengen Information System, the closer cooperation of Member States’ judicial and police authorities, the exchange of information and mutual trust and of course, the effective control and monitoring of Europe’s external borders.
The answer lies also in providing Member States with modern technological tools and working towards an improved borders management.
In this regard, as announced by the Commission President Juncker, we will deliver a border package by the end of this year.
Indeed, the abolition of internal borders has come with considerable improvement in the field of judiciary and police cooperation among Member States.
A country’s internal security depends on the security of the Schengen area as a whole.
The EU is currently working as well on a ‘Smart Borders’ programme for external borders.
It consists of an entry/exit system, which will improve border controls and combat irregular migration, while at the same time making border crossing easier for frequent and pre-checked travellers.
While strengthening external borders is crucial, this is not the sole solution to addressing the current refugee crisis.
To defend and uphold our freedom of movement, we need to take some bold decisions to address migratory challenges.
That is what the Commission’s European Agenda on Migration and its subsequent action plans and return communication are addressing.
One of the reasons for the public perception of the Schengen system as inadequate, is the fact that Member States are ineffective when it comes to repatriating irregular migrants after they have received a decision to return and leave EU territory.
Less than half of irregular migrants – many from poor but fairly stable states – are actually returned.
The rest simply evade return.
This situation is not sustainable.
The ones in genuine need of international protection we have to offer refuge and shelter.
But those who do not have a right to stay should be returned.
To conclude, I would like to thank those who have made the Schengen system what it is today and had the vision and drive to make Europe borderless for the Europeans.
But I am also grateful to those who are building new initiatives to develop it further.
While the Schengen system can adapt to evolving contexts, we must always uphold its core of free movement.
The work we are doing together is beneficial for Europe’s citizens and for those making Europe home – those needing protection, for instance.
Let us strengthen our greatest achievement – free movement within the EU based on well managed and secure external borders.
Last but not least I cannot hide my pride and enthusiasm that I was entrusted with this important dossier by President Jean-Claude Juncker and Europe.
Thank you.