The EU Passport Agreement: Understanding What It Is and How It Works
The European Union, or EU, is a political and economic union of 27 member states located primarily in Europe. One of the EU`s most significant achievements is the establishment of a single market, which allows the free movement of goods, services, capital, and people within the EU.
The EU Passport Agreement, also known as the Schengen Agreement, is a treaty signed in 1985 and implemented in 1995 that abolished border controls between participating states and created a single external border. The agreement is named after the town of Schengen in Luxembourg, where it was signed.
Currently, 26 European countries are part of the Schengen Area, including most EU member states, with the exception of Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Romania, and the United Kingdom. Additionally, four non-EU countries – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland – participate in the agreement.
The EU Passport Agreement allows for the free movement of citizens within the Schengen Area without the need for passport or border checks. This means that EU citizens can travel freely within the Schengen Area without encountering any restrictions on their movements.
Non-EU citizens are also able to benefit from the Schengen Agreement, as they can obtain a Schengen visa that allows them to travel throughout the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This has greatly facilitated travel and boosted tourism within the Schengen countries.
However, the Schengen Agreement has recently faced challenges due to the migration crisis in Europe. Some countries have reintroduced border controls in the face of increased migration, and the future of the agreement remains uncertain.
In conclusion, the EU Passport Agreement, or the Schengen Agreement, is a significant achievement of the European Union that has facilitated the free movement of citizens and boosted tourism within the Schengen Area. While challenges remain, the agreement remains an important aspect of European integration.
