Schengen in History

Signs the Schengen Agreement for West Germany, committing the participating governments to gradually abolish internal border controls.

Genscher backs Germany's participation in the founding five-state agreement for gradually reducing checks at common borders. German policy links open internal borders with stronger external controls.

Leads West Germany when the five founding states sign the Schengen Agreement on the gradual removal of controls at their common borders.

Heads the German government when the five original Schengen states sign the convention implementing border-free travel arrangements.

Genscher backs the detailed 1990 Convention regulating visas, frontiers and cooperation between national authorities. The German approach combines mobility with coordinated frontier safeguards.

During the Schengen process, Kohl leads Germany when the implementing Convention establishes detailed rules for a border-free Schengen area. German officials emphasise reliable information-sharing between national authorities.

In Germany, Schauble supports stronger common external-border and security arrangements accompanying free internal movement. German policy links open internal borders with stronger external controls.