European Commission has sent letters to Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, and Sweden that have all restricted intra-Schengen travel, and countries have ten days to reply.
The commission doesn’t like the restriction of EU/EEA citizens’ movement that these countries have instituted violating the Schengen-agreement.
Here’s a video released by Didier Reynders, an EU Commissioner:
Doorstep EN | I am participating in the #GAC this morning to recall the importance of a coordinated approach to restrictions on free movement. 🇪🇺@EU_Commission has also written to 6 MS to obtain more information on the measures taken. #COVID19 @EU_Justice pic.twitter.com/cRDEZ8rc0R
— Didier Reynders (@dreynders) February 23, 2021
Here’s an excerpt from New Europe:
Ιn a letter sent to Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary and Sweden, the European Commission has urged the countries to respect the travel restrictions recommendations of the European Council and to align with the Union’s principles in regard to freedom of movement.
“The commission wants to recall to the European member states that it is a necessity to go back to a coordinated approach on all the measures taken in relation to the free movement of people and goods,” the bloc’s justice commissioner Didier Reynders said on Tuesday in a video posted on Twitter.
Despite recommendations by the Commission, the six EU countries have taken unilateral measures to curb the spread of Coronavirus. In January, Belgium imposed a non-essential travel ban that has been extended to April 1, while earlier this month, Germany placed entry restrictions at its borders with the Czech Republic and Austria’s Tyrol. Hungary, for its part, has kept its borders closed to almost all foreigners since summer. Finland has imposed a non-essential travel ban until February 25, while Sweden has blocked entry for those coming from the UK, Denmark and Norway. Denmark has also placed restrictions at its borders since the beginning of the pandemic.
The countries have ten days to provide the EU Executive with explanations about their ban on non-essential travel.
Conclusion
The European Commission’s letters to “naughty” countries usually result in some action, but perhaps not in the time frame that the EU would like to see.
The key benefit of the EU for the EU/EEA nationals is the freedom of movement to live and work in any member country. There should not be any border checks within Schengen countries under normal circumstances. There can, however, be limited ones during stress.
Wondering what Hungary is bringing to the EU project. They receive tons of money from the EU but are the first to criticize the EU.
It is crazy to think that the founders of the EU did not think of a mechanicm to kick out member states who do not respect the EU principles.
It is sad situation. These select countries actively campaign against EU while taking all the cash for infrastructure projects.
I’m not sure “all these countries “- Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary and Sweden – taking all the cash for infrastructure projects. Some countries do contribute, other’s do benefit. Next up will be a huge EU pay out to ‘southern countries’, who; by ineffective government and tax structure – are in dire need of support.
I was referring to the previous comment that referred to Hungary, Poland etc. that are net benefiters of the EU while trying to become dictatorships.
Trust me, we need more stories like this :
https://www.politico.eu/article/from-orban-ally-to-orgy-scandal-downfall-of-a-fidesz-founder/
to get rid of the autocratic Orban/Fidesz regime
Greetings from Hungary !
There would be no need to control borders if countries like Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Romania etc. followed EU laws and rules or provide normal (medical necessary) behaviour in times of Corona. Politicially they are actuallly no (real) members of the EU and its ideals. Not the (resp. all) people, but their political systems. And I’m with Steve Wang: It’s sad there’s no kick out modus for countries like that…
Countries do not want unrestricted access by covid super spreaders ,the public in Europe supports this and ignore the EU letters