Europe moves to end passport-free travel in migrant row

Source: The Guardian

European nations moved to reverse decades of unfettered travel across the continent when a majority of EU governments agreed the need to reinstate national passport controls amid fears of a flood of immigrants fleeing the upheaval in north Africa.

In a serious blow to one of the cornerstones of a united, integrated Europe, EU interior ministers embarked on a radical revision of the passport-free travel regime known as the Schengen system to allow the 26 participating governments to restore border controls.

They also agreed to combat immigration by pressing for "readmission accords" with countries in the Middle East and north Africa to send refugees back to where they came from.

The policy shift was pushed by France and Italy, who have been feuding and panicking in recent weeks over a small influx of refugees from Tunisia. But 15 of the 22 EU states which had signed up to Schengen supported the move, with only four resisting, according to officials and diplomats present.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/12/europe-to-end-passport-free-travel

Although, I must say, I was shocked that you didn't have to show your passport crossing from France into Switzerland of Germany. I recall my first trip, I was looking for customs so they could check and stamp my passport and there was none. Felt strange knowing you crossed an international border and it wasn't much different than crossing a state line.

That said, reinstating those checks will slow down travel some, that is why I say it will kind of suck.

I knew they would never succeed at getting along. Anybody with a knowledge of history could have seen this coming, also.

This is a direct implication that the member states are not getting along?

If you read the article, note that this is being initiated at the behest of France and Italy. There is also the issue of variations in the health of local economies, from state to state.

in one form or another. Keep predicting it and you might eventually be right. But that's history for you.

It's only been an entity for 20 years.

and thought "in one form or another" covered it. I can't remember a time when someone, somewhere wasn't warning about the imminent demise of all sorts of European cooperation. Every time there's the least problem or some challenge, the howls get louder, and yet the long-term pattern is one of increased cooperation and membership.

Remember when EADS couldn't possibly get off the ground? And yet, they fly.

That doesn't mean there aren't or won't be problems. It just means people are not going to be inclined to throw away hard-won progress because of the next small problem.

troubles to come

...except being on the same continent.

seems that the economy and immigration are proving to be insurmountable issues.

seems that the economy and immigration are proving to be insurmountable issues.

:eyes:

We already had our states/federal rights debate.

We faced a civil war and uncertain future.

But we got it out the way and now there is no question of states going their seperate ways.

The EU has not done this.

They are very much a weak confederation that could fall apart should any major player decide to walk away (like say Germany angry for all the loans they have to float to less responsible member states and a little peeved they're sharing a currency that is rapidly losing value)

clearly we're on the break of The American Civil War part II.

I'm surprised the union has lasted this long what with cars . . . being stopped . . . randomly.