What Is the Purpose of the Schengen Agreement

The Schengen Agreement is an important agreement that was signed in 1985 between several European countries. The agreement was named after the small village of Schengen, Luxembourg, where the first treaty was signed. The purpose of the Schengen Agreement is to abolish internal borders and allow free movement of people between member countries within the Schengen Area.

The Schengen Area consists of 26 European countries, including Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. These countries have agreed to remove their borders and allow people to travel freely between them, just as they would within their own country.

One of the main purposes of the Schengen Agreement is to promote tourism and business within Europe. By allowing free movement of people, it becomes easier for businesses to operate across borders. It also makes it easier for people to travel for tourism purposes, as they do not have to go through border checks when moving between countries. This has resulted in an increase in tourism and economic activity within the Schengen Area.

Another important purpose of the Schengen Agreement is to promote solidarity and cooperation between European countries. The agreement represents a commitment to work together on issues such as immigration and border security. By sharing information and working together, the member countries can better manage their borders and prevent illegal activities such as terrorism and human trafficking.

Finally, the Schengen Agreement has become an important symbol of European unity. The agreement represents a commitment to common values such as freedom of movement, democracy, and the rule of law. It has become a cornerstone of European integration and a model for other regions around the world.

In conclusion, the purpose of the Schengen Agreement is to promote free movement of people, increase tourism and economic activity, promote cooperation between European countries, and symbolize European unity. The agreement has been highly successful in achieving these goals and has become an important symbol of European integration.