(English version) Question for written answer E-003005/20 to the Commission Jean-Paul Garraud (ID), Gilbert Collard (ID), Aurelia Beigneux (ID), Hélène Laporte (ID), Jérôme Rivière (ID), Gilles Lebreton (ID), Nicolas Bay (ID), Annika Bruna (ID), Maxette Pirbakas (ID), Joëlle Mélin (ID), Catherine Griset (ID), Jean-Lin Lacapelle (ID), Mathilde Androuët (ID) (15 May 2020) Subject: Further enlarging the Schengen Area The Schengen Area was set up to promote free movement by abolishing border controls. It has expanded considerably since 1985, when the agreement establishing the area was signed by five Member States. Today, signatories number 28 Member States and four Associated States. Moreover, the citizens of some 50 non-Schengen countries are exempt from visa requirements for entry. The coronavirus health pandemic has shown the limitations of free movement and its effects. At a meeting of the European Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs on 7 May 2020, the European Commission Home Affairs Commissioner, Ylva Johansson, stated that she wanted Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia to join the Schengen Area. At a time when many Member States have reintroduced border controls and restricted movement between Member States, this mad rush to enlarge Schengen runs counter to what the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us. Can the Commission confirm that it wants to enlarge the Schengen Area and, if so, over what period of time? Does it intend to take into consideration the expectations of Member States rather than adopting a purely dogmatic approach? Supporters (1) Answer given by Ms Johansson on behalf of the European Commission (27 July 2020) The free movement of persons is a fundamental right guaranteed by the EU to its citizens. The Commission fully supports Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia to join the Schengen area. Croatia will need to continue working consistently on the implementation of all the ongoing actions, to ensure that the necessary conditions for the application of all relevant parts of the Schengen acquis continue to be met. An unanimous decision of the Council is necessary to allow for the full application of the Schengen acquis by these Member States and the Commission has no formal role in this process. |(⋅1∙|) This question is supported by Members other than the authors: Jean-François Jalkh (ID), Philippe Olivier (ID), Thierry Mariani (ID).