Schengen?

[Dr_Woland]

There's a rumour tonight in Moscow, that there will be mutual no-visa travel between Russia and the Schengen countries.

Anyone got any more news on this? It sounds too good to be true....

Dr W.

[rodneymackinnon]

I obviously do not know the answer, but would like to know what the Schengen countries are. Thanks

[Dr_Woland]

hi rodney

I subsequently found-out this was complete rumour with no factual basis, which a radio-station broadcast without checking their facts first!

The Schengen countries are those who signed-up to the Schengen Agreement - which means that if you have a visa for one of the countries, you can also visit the others. It's part of the move to make travelling in Europe more homogenous, but not all European countries agreed to it. Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Monaco, and (very unwillingly) France are signatories, maybe some others? GB, Denmark, Spain, Portugal, and others refused to sign, fearing increased smuggling and illegal immigration (well, those were the ostensible reasons, eh-hem).....

Dr

[harish]

hello Dr Woland,
aren't the reasons you quote very good reasons for not joining the Schengen agreement.
harish

[Dr_Woland]

Well, Harish, they would be good reasons, I guess. Buuuuut.... if someone comes into the EU (as it was originally intended to be under this scheme), they might want to visit more than one country. For example, almost no-one visits Monaco on its own - they at least go to France as well. This could apply to both business and tourism, I think.

The situation is particularly of interest on this Forum, since Russians, for example, can get just ONE visa (for one fee, and one long wait at a Consulate - instead of $100's of dollars and weeks or months of waiting) to visit several places on one trip. Say you want to visit Koln, Maastricht, Liege, Luxembourg and Strasbourg. The whole distance is only 300 miles, but there are 5 countries involved!! So separate visas would really disrupt travel for visitors.

If we are going to be SERIOUS about a European Union, then Schengen is definitely needed.

I am afraid that the reason Britain would not join was unconnected with illegal immigration or smuggling - it was pure chauvinism. The tragic case of the Chinese people found dead at Dover in a truck illustrates that people will try to get in, legal or not.

Dr W.

[Bavlin]

The Schengen agreement is needed to make the EU a succesfull union. With the Schengen and the Euro the european community is more then a hopfully thought from great men like Karl the great, Caesar, Naepoleon and Peter the great.

Dr_Woland Sweden agreed to Schengen and i think Finland, Denmark and Norway did that too. Not to sure on Norway since their not in the EU.
Myself Im against EU 'cause it can be to risky but Britian should join the schengen.