Swiss suspend treaty with Libya Nov 5, 2009
Despite belonging to the Schengen agreement, which enables holders of a Schengen visa to travel freely between member countries, Switzerland could refuse entry into its territory to all Libyan nationals. Furthermore, member states have a right of consultation and veto over the allocation of Schengen visas, so that certain Libyans could be prevented from travelling anywhere in the Schengen area, which covers 25 countries in mainland Europe. (SwissInfo.org, Switzerland)
Blair 'excellent' for EU job Oct 30, 2009
" There is opposition to Mr Blair's candidacy from some smaller EU states which believe the president should come from a country that uses the euro and is part of the border-free Schengen Agreement. Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi backs Mr Blair. BBC Europe editor Gavin Hewitt said more might be revealed over the next few days about whether leaders favour a charismatic presidential figure or a less high-profile chairman. Jean Asselborn, Luxembourg's foreign minister, said Mr Blair was "not the best... (BBC News -- UK)
No 10 to lobby for Blair EU job Oct 28, 2009
Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg are reportedly among smaller countries that believe the president should come from a country that uses the euro and is part of the border-free Schengen Agreement. Mr Blair has not declared his candidacy for the new EU post. (BBC News -- UK)
Polanski refused bail in Swiss court Oct 25, 2009
It noted that border crossings from Switzerland are especially easy by both land and air, in part because of the European Schengen agreement that allows for visa-free travel between member countries, but also because Polanski has access to private jets or helicopters. The filmmaker put up his home in the Swiss town of Gstaad as security for bail, the court documents showed, but the court decided that wasn't enough of a guarantee. (CNN -- Showbiz)
The Schengen Area Countries, Border... Sep 7, 2009
The Schengen agreement abolished some border controls between countries that work fully within its guidelines ... Currently, 25 countries apply all of the provisions of the Schengen Agreement. (Suite101.com)
Hungary Remembers Picnic That Opened Iron Curtain Aug 20, 2009
Bella continued his career as a border guard for several more years before retiring in 1996, later even working as a consultant on developing aspects of the Schengen agreement, which now allows for borderless travel within 25 European countries. "I didn't think of myself as a hero. How could I? I wasn't even sure I'd be around for another week," Bella said. (Fox News)
Uninvited guests Jul 28, 2009
European Union laws oblige all 25 countries party to the Schengen Agreement, which allows passport-free travel across the area, to allow illegal immigrants to make two "mistakes", and the new Italian law makes such "mistakes" more likely. "We want to expel these illegal immigrants to their country of provenance," Mr Grimaldi says. (BBC News -- Europe)
Switzerland opens its borders Jun 2, 2009
Under the Schengen Agreement, which Switzerland is joining, cross-border passport checks will be abolished. The move is the latest in a long and complex series of bilateral agreements which the Swiss government has negotiated with Brussels, in order not to be isolated within Europe's powerful trade zone. (BBC News -- Business)
G20 leaders agree on global recovery plan Apr 5, 2009
swissinfo - Swiss internal affairs- swissinfo. March 26, 2009 - 9:38 PM. (SwissInfo.org, Switzerland)
Sunday's vote: A return to Fortress Switzerland? Feb 8, 2009
The referendum that may cancel the Schengen Agreement was called by the far-right Swiss People's Party, which has gained support recently with its nationalistic rhetoric ... The Schengen Agreement had been approved by a national referendum in 2005, but the Swiss People's Party is now confident that the climate has changed ... Britain and Ireland have also opted out of the Schengen Agreement, in part because of similar concerns nonetheless, Britain has higher rates of crime than many Schengen... (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
