During the past six months the Schengen area has moved into the centre of the European public debate. While the initial discussions focused on Romania’s and Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area, this issue together with the increased migration pressure following the events in North Africa have led to a lively debate about the future of the Schengen system. The discussions about the governance of the Schengen area will also be a crucial and controversial topic on the upcoming European Council. 

 

Key questions are inter alia: How should the Schengen regime be reformed in order to be able to respond in the case of a massive influx of migrants? How can – also after accession to the Schengen area – the proper implementation and application of the Schengen acquis by the member states be guaranteed?

 

The objective of this high-level debate with key policy makers from the EU institutions and the member states is to bring together different perspectives on the current and future effectiveness of the Schengen area and the possible impact of its future enlargements in achieving its goals.

 

A standing lunch will be available from 12:00.

 

Draft Agenda

 

 

 

12:00                         Registration & Standing Lunch Reception 

13:00                         Welcome

                        Mr Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP, Vice-Chair European People’s Party

 

13:15                         Panel Discussion

 

Mr Peter Altmaier MP, Chief Whip of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group, German Bundestag

Mr Ioan Dascalu, Secretary of State in the Romanian Ministry of Administration and Interior

Mr Carlos Coelho MEP, Member of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, European Parliament Rapporteur on Schengen

 

Moderator:

Dr. Stefan Gehrold, Director, European Office of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung