In just a few weeks, the European Commission hopes for free travel for everyone within the EU.
France and Germany are pushing to get open borders, tourism and trade going.
Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson sounds hopeful after Friday's online meeting with the member states' interior ministers.
”"When I listen to the discussion today, I personally believe that we will be back to a functioning Schengen area by the end of June at the latest. I believe that both the health situation and the political situation allow it," says Johansson at a press conference afterwards.
But she also notes that a "few countries" say they are not yet ready to lift all restrictions.
”And ultimately, it is a decision that is up to each member state to make,” says Johansson.
It is clear, however, that pressure has increased to bring about a return to normal. At Friday's meeting, France and Germany were clear that they want to remove the national border barriers and closures introduced during the corona pandemic.
”"All member states say that it is important to continue to monitor the spread of the infection and take measures to prevent this from increasing again. But this was the first meeting of this kind that I have attended where it was so clear that the big countries are now starting to put their feet down," says Interior Minister Mikael Damberg (S) at a press conference by telephone after the meeting.
A number of EU countries, including the Czech Republic and the Netherlands, have until now imposed stricter entry requirements for people from Sweden compared to other countries. However, according to Damberg, Sweden is actively working to provide information about the Swedish corona situation.
”"We have a pretty good dialogue now at the authority level with some member states that may not have full insight into what the Swedish situation looks like, what measures have been taken and what trend we see. Our hope is that the EU's internal market will return to normality. It is also an important part of Europe getting back on its feet economically," says Mikael Damberg.
Regarding the EU countries' coordinated general ban on entry from countries outside the EU and the Schengen area until at least June 15, any easing is likely to come in July. And then there will likely be a gradual opening, with certain countries and regions taking the lead, depending on the infection situation.
”"We should consider a gradual lifting of restrictions on non-essential travel in early July," says Ylva Johansson, who is expected to make concrete proposals as early as next week on how long the current ban should be extended.
Source: TT
