France wants to reopen its borders this summer and wishes to welcome the Belgians: “Welcome”

Foreign ministers from ten European countries (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic and Switzerland) met on Wednesday by videoconference to discuss a coordinated approach with a view to eventually restore the possibility for everyone to travel in the European Union and in the Schengen area after the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus crisis.

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During this meeting by videoconference, the ministers expressed their wish to reopen the borders within the Schengen area. “Freedom of movement and movement across Europe is a fundamental element of the European project. Our goal is to restore freedom of movement. But it is obvious that we must do it in a way that does not risk losing the benefit of the considerable efforts made by all to control the pandemic. It is important to be able to circulate safely in Europe ”, specified the Belgian Minister, Philippe Goffin, in a press release.

France has announced that, if sanitary conditions allow, it will reopen its borders to European tourists this summer. If no specific date has been communicated, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, French Secretary of State to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, has expressed the hope that the internal European borders can reopen in July.

After the meeting with his colleagues from 9 European countries including Belgium and Germany, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne addressed the press and wanted to express a special message to the Belgians. “I would like to say to the Belgians and the Dutch, in particular to those who have a second home in our country: welcome to France. These are people who have a connection to our country and who pay taxes there. We want to welcome these people and we are thinking about it. “

A reopening “in progressive stages” in the European Union

The ten ministers assured that they would share seven points, such as a “gradual approach coordinated and agreed between the EU member states and the (space) Schengen” with a view to achieving a progressive normalization of cross-border travel and the reopening border posts, “paying particular attention to the situation of border workers”.

According to the ten ministers, tourism companies, transport companies and private actors concerned should use the coming weeks to take the appropriate precautionary measures to protect travelers once freedom of movement and movement are restored. Restoring public confidence in travel safety will be essential, they say.

As for citizens, they are encouraged to continue to take careful note of the health information made available to them by the competent national and European authorities.

“Even if the situation differs from country to country at the moment, our common objective is to coordinate our approach as closely as possible between the European partners”, summed up Mr. Goffin, who had already discussed the subject Sunday and Monday with his French, Dutch, German and Luxembourg counterparts.

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