Is The End of Schengen Coming?

In an attempt to minimize the migration crisis effects on Europe, the MEPs have agreed to replace the border agency of the union known as Frontex with a newly formed agency for European border and coast guard, which will have more power. The Schengen zone, which allows passport-free travel, has been blamed for allowing terrorists and various economic migrants to enter and travel free across the European continent.

The formation of the new agency received a positive vote, which means that the border controls in EU will be re-introduced, despite the fact that the Schengen agreement is seen as one of the success stories of the European Union.

The yet to be formed European Border and Coast Guard Regulation Agency will make sure that the external borders of the EU are better managed and safer. The national authorities will still take care of their borders, yet the external borders will be covered by the new agency as well. These new rules are to be applied to all Schengen zone members, but will also cover the territories of Bulgaria and Romania, Croatia and Cyprus, as well as the members of the European Free Trade Association – Iceland and Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.

The new European Border and Coast Guard Regulation Agency will have border guards nominated by the member states. It will also return migrants to their country of origin. Without such effective control on the external borders, the rules of Schengen will not survive.