"Dream of borderless Europe is under pressure as EU members fight over illegal immigration"

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5g4wp-3Ih93nZN2MdJ67_paVqR12Q?docId=6741844

A borderless continent where citizens travel freely, unfettered by customs or passport controls, has long been a key ambition of the European Union. On Wednesday, the project will likely take a step backward. ... A draft of a proposal likely to be adopted Wednesday by the European Commission — the executive branch of the European Union would allow the reintroduction of national border controls "as a last resort."

The drive for a borderless Europe means "free movement and, like the euro, is one of the symbols of Europe," said Carlos Coelho, who presides over the civil liberties committee of the European Parliament.

Schengen refers to a Luxembourg hamlet where five EU member nations first signed the treaty in 1985 to do away with border controls. The visa-free area has expanded to cover most of the current EU, with Britain the notable exception. Instead of long lines at each border or airport, everyone could now whisk through at will with patrols centring on targeted checks inside the countries themselves. It was seen as a tangible benefit for every EU citizen, who was rid of the endless delays and controls.

In many EU nations, governments are under pressure from conservative, right-wing parties seeking to seal of borders to North African immigrants. In France, where Sarkozy faces elections next year, the Front National has pounced on the opportunity. FN leader Marine Le Pen called the Schengen agreement on borderless travel "this baneful treaty, responsible for an explosion in immigration and all kinds of traffic," as she called for France to withdraw from the system.

This sense of looking inward worries many. "There is a wave of nationalism in Europe which threatens the EU core principles — in this case the freedom of movement," (Massimo) Merlino (who co-authored a report "A race against solidarity" for the Center for European Policy Studies think-tank) said.

Late Tuesday, Greek Citizens Protection Minister Christos Papoutsis (Socialist Party) leapt to the defence of Schengen. He said proposals for a return to border controls within the EU "are in complete contrast with the demands of the peoples of Europe," and Greece would oppose them. "Greece believes that freedom of movement within the Schengen Area must be jealously preserved, for it is the most fundamental pylon of European unification," he said.

Mr. Papoutsis, as a socialist, may believe in freedom of movement and that "proposals for a return to border controls within the EU "are in complete contrast with the demands of the peoples of Europe"", but he also surely realizes that these proposals are supported by conservative leaders like Sarkozy and Berlusconi who care little about the "demands of the peoples of Europe".

Ever heard a Romanian talk about an Albanian? A Serb discuss a Croatian?

Seen a soccer riot?

The Tunisian who has French "citizenship", and dares to move to France will not be welcomed with open arms, nor will the Roma, who have been outcasts in Europe for a very long time.

Within the EU there are large countries, small countries, rich countries, poor countries, and the budgets of those countries are based on the projected needs of the citizens.......when uninvited people show up, there's always a "problem"...any kid who ever brought friends for dinner without telling Mom in advance, knows what happens..

of the Balkans (which may be part of the reason that none of those countries have been admitted to the Schegen Area).

It's mostly a dream of the left (particularly in western Europe where it began) with its promise of peace, prosperity and freedom of movement (all of which have been achieved by historical standards) for European people - obviously not things that rate highly with soccer hooligans and nationalists - which is why it will always be an on-going battle with the right.

that is how they divide and rule us. The rich are trying to make europe into the USA. Whose dream? The working class wants solidarity among its citizens. That leads to high wages. The rich want less solidarity, which leads to low wages and high profits.

Whose dream?

America is a dream come true for the rich.