The Schengen Agreement, which was signed on June 14, 1985, is an international agreement between European countries that allows for the elimination of border controls between participating countries. The agreement was named after the town of Schengen in Luxembourg, where it was signed.
The original Schengen Agreement was signed by five countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Germany, and France. Over time, the agreement has been expanded and revised, and today it includes 26 European countries.
One of the key elements of the Schengen Agreement is the execution agreement, which lays out the procedures for how the agreement will be implemented and enforced. The execution agreement covers a wide range of issues, including:
1. Border Controls: The execution agreement sets out the rules for how border controls will be carried out between Schengen countries. For example, it establishes the guidelines for checking travel documents and how to handle travelers who are suspected of breaking immigration laws.
2. Visa Policy: The agreement sets out rules for how visa policies will be coordinated between Schengen countries. This helps to ensure that travelers who are approved for a visa in one country can travel freely throughout the Schengen area without having to go through additional visa application processes.
3. Police Cooperation: The execution agreement also establishes procedures for police cooperation between Schengen countries. This includes sharing intelligence and other information about criminal activities and coordinating efforts to combat cross-border crime.
4. Data Protection: The agreement includes provisions to protect the privacy of individuals whose personal information is shared between Schengen countries. For example, it establishes rules for how data can be collected, stored, and shared, and sets out procedures for individuals to access and correct their own information.
Overall, the execution agreement of the Schengen Agreement is critical to the success of the agreement as a whole. By establishing clear procedures for how the agreement will be implemented and enforced, the execution agreement helps to ensure that travelers can move freely throughout the Schengen area while also maintaining the security and safety of the participating countries.