Gozi: “Europe must strengthen its external borders, not rebuild borders between Europeans”

In the wake of the situation in Ceuta, Sandro Gozi, Secretary General of the European Democratic Party, called for a clear European approach to the protection of Schengen, combining stronger common external borders with the full preservation of freedom of movement within the European Union.

“What is happening in Ceuta exposes a contradiction that Europe can no longer afford,” Gozi said. “We cannot defend Schengen when everything is calm and then fall back on national borders as soon as a crisis emerges. The border of Ceuta is not only Spain’s border: it is also the border of Italy, Germany, France and of the European Union as a whole.”

According to Gozi, pressure on an EU external border must therefore trigger a genuinely European response, based on common resources, Frontex and shared responsibility, rather than a succession of unilateral national measures.

“At the same time, internal borders cannot become an instrument of political pressure between governments. Schengen is one of Europe’s greatest achievements and cannot be turned into a bargaining tool whenever Member States disagree over migration.”

Gozi stressed that the principle of solidarity must apply equally to all Member States.

“A country cannot invoke European solidarity when it is on the frontline and then refuse the same solidarity when another Member State faces pressure. The constant migration blame game between Rome and Madrid, Berlin and Rome, or any other European capitals only weakens Schengen without providing a serious answer to migration.”

For the EDP Secretary General, the response must be greater European sovereignty: effective protection of the Union’s external borders, a common asylum and return policy, and binding solidarity between Member States.

“Our line is simple: Europe must be able to control its common external border effectively, while guaranteeing freedom of movement inside the Union. Every time we restore a national border within Europe, we give political ground to those who want a weaker and more fragmented Europe.”

“Schengen must become irreversible: a common external border, guaranteed freedom within Europe and binding European solidarity.”