Towards a reopening of the EU borders

While the coronavirus epidemic is in sharp decline in Europe, a wind of renewed freedom is beginning to blow on the continent. The Commission confirmed on Thursday the two-step timetable it wishes to see applied by the Member States for the internal Schengen borders and the external borders of the EU which have been closed for almost three months. The stakes are colossal, from an economic point of view but also in terms of lifestyle. Evidenced by the hundreds of calls or messages from European citizens on this issue received each week by the Commission.

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Brussels is calling for the lifting of internal border restrictions from June 15, next Monday. This is the date towards which the vast majority of Member States, including Germany and France, converge. A handful of countries - Denmark, Spain and Portugal - have chosen to reopen later. " The neighbors of Sweden (whose management of the pandemic has been very criticized, editor's note) are cautious, but they are discussing and we are hopeful that they will find a solution soon enough ", it underlines. in Brussels. Poland, so long closed, will take the plunge on Saturday. And Hungary has already lifted restrictions on its borders with Austria, Slovakia and Slovenia.

You must open as soon as possible

Of course, Member States are free to manage their borders as they see fit. However, there is no ambiguity in the Commission's message: we must move quickly. " You have to open up as soon as possible, " said European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson on Thursday.

Based on three criteria

As for the EU's external borders, the Commission wants the restrictions to start being lifted from July 1. " International travel is essential for tourism, business and to allow families and friends to meet, " argued the European Commissioner, calling on member states to " prepare concretely for the lifting of restrictions with countries whose health situation is similar to that of the EU, and resume visa operations. "

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It will be up to the Member States and the Commission to draw up the list of third countries which will benefit from the lifting of the restrictions from 1 July. Based on three criteria: the epidemiological situation in the country concerned, the ability to enforce health measures during the trip and reciprocity. For the moment, the question of the United States does not arise, Europeans are still not allowed to enter American soil.

But discussions between Europeans could be difficult when decisions have to be made on China, Russia or Brazil. “ Some third countries may feel stigmatized. But if we cannot establish a list common to all, then it will be very difficult to envisage the reopening of the external borders ”, explains a Brussels source. Which omits to point out that Cyprus already welcomes travelers from third countries and that Greece will do the same from Monday. Hence the urgent need to coordinate.

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