EU interior ministers are set to gather in Luxembourg Friday for high-level talks overshadowed by unresolved disputes over internal border controls, even as the bloc marks the 40th anniversary of the landmark Schengen Agreement.
EU interior ministers convene in Luxembourg on Friday following an unofficial start to proceedings aboard the MS Marie-Astrid cruise ship Thursday evening.
The Luxembourg government and Polish EU Council presidency hosted the Moselle River event to mark Saturday's 40th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement – though celebrations were tempered by ongoing border control disputes.
Polish Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak struck a sober tone, framing the occasion as "not a celebration but a call to suspend internal border checks". Notably absent was German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, who remained in Germany for a federal conference and sent his state secretary instead.
The tension follows Dobrindt's Monday meeting in Warsaw, where Poland pushed for stronger EU external border protection over internal checks.
Luxembourg's Minister for Home Affairs Léon Gloden confirmed he reminded Dobrindt by phone Wednesday evening about unfulfilled promises to relocate German border checks away from Luxembourg's frontier.
Dobrindt reportedly assured compliance pending Federal Police consultations, which was welcomed by the Luxembourg government.
European Commission Vice-President Henna Virkkunen reaffirmed Schengen's role as "a symbol of European unity and shared values", a sentiment echoed by Austrian Internal Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner. While celebrating the milestone, Brunner acknowledged the zone faces ongoing challenges requiring "daily work and permanent development."
© René Pfeiffer / RTL
Schengen marks 40 years with musical performances
The Luxembourg town of Schengen hosts a two-day anniversary celebration this weekend, combining the historic occasion with the nationwide Fête de la Musique. The programme features Eurovision legend Johnny Logan as headline performer.
