« Schengen is the solution, not the problem »

« Today we gather in a place that has become a strong symbol of unity, freedom and peace in Europe, » emphasized Schengen Mayor Michel Gloden (DP) on Saturday morning at the celebrations for the 40th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement. « It was precisely here in Schengen a vision of a vision that should change the face of our continent forever, » said the speaker.

In view of the current border controls, especially on the German side, the question arose whether the celebration could not be a funeral service. « I also asked myself this question today, but I want to remain optimistic, » said LSAP MP Paulette Lenert the « Luxembourg Word ».

No speech without border control

What was striking, however, was that the border controls in all speeches were discussed. Anke Rehlinger, the President of the Federal Council, also discussed it in her speech and regretted this decision. According to Rehlinger, the celebration should not only be an occasion to look in the past, but also to the front.

« Schengen is not the problem, but the solution. As a border European European, it hurts me a lot when I see that controls are now being carried out again at the borders, » emphasized the Saarland Prime Minister.

Your proposal is to build a joint strip in a border corridor, because the « desire for more security is understandable ». « We have to bring freedom and security into a good relationship. Rehlinger appealed to the German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt to reach security on a smarter path without burdening the commuters and endangering people’s identity.

Controls should be an exception

« I don’t want to say that Schengen is in danger because it will be defended, but it will be put to the test, » emphasized Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel (DP). He repeated that « controls must be the exception and not the rule. Freedom once won can be lost if you follow the voice of populism. »

Benjamin Haddad, the French deputy minister of Europe, appealed « not to give in to the old nationalist temptations ». This, especially now that Russia is trying to re -draw borders with an attack war against Ukraine, and to put an iron curtain across Europe. « Our Europe is a strength in this geopolitical turning point, » says Haddad.

Grand Duke Henri, and Princess Marie-Astrid, the namesake of the popular passenger ship MS Princesse Marie-Astrid, took part in the celebrations that took place in bright sunshine on the Moselle banks. In the course of the celebration, the latter christened the complete renovated ship « Princess Marie-Astrid Europa », in which the European Agreement on June 14, 1985 was signed by five state secretaries, including the then Luxembourg State Secretary Robert Goebbels.

Minister and MPs and MPs from Luxembourg were also present. The EU Commission’s deputy, the border region and ministers from several European countries were also guests in Schengen.

Even countries that are not yet part of the Schengen area attended the celebration. The Montenegrin Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimović said: « The excellent example of Luxembourg, which, despite its small size, wrote European history 40 years ago, encourages us to join the Schengen area as soon as possible. » Small Member States – today’s and future – could make a major contribution to the joint vision of a united, strong and safe Europe, he indicated.