BRUSSELS (AP) – Desperate to halt the flow of migrants fleeing conflict or poverty, some European countries have begun erecting fences and tightening border controls. But the crackdown, as people leave Greece and Italy to move deeper into the European Union, has raised questions about whether Europe’s passport-free area is viable.
The no-checks zone, known as the Schengen area, does not only allow individuals to travel freely across borders. It also permits the smooth flow of goods, services and business expertise – in a vital boost to the European economy.
Here are a few things about it to bear in mind:
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EUROPEAN, NOT EU