On 11 June 2025, an international conference “40 Years of Schengen: People, Borders, Politics” was held in Luxembourg, organised by the EMT Luxembourg Contact Point in cooperation with the UniGR Centre for Border Studies. The conference brought together policymakers, academics and experts to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Schengen Agreement and critically assess its impact on human mobility, border policy and the future of Europe.
The conference was opened by Luxembourg’s Minister of the Interior, Leon Gloden, emphasising the shared responsibility for preserving Schengen.
Robert Goebel, one of the signatories of the Schengen Agreement, stressed the importance of a united Europe, stating that “A happy Europe is not a vulnerable Europe” – emphasizing safe but free movement. He highlighted the need to preserve the spirit of Schengen while adapting to modern security challenges and migration flows.
Aldis Austers from the Latvian Institute of Foreign Affairs participated in the panel discussion “At the Edges of Schengen”, where he spoke about the challenges of EU external border management, Latvia’s experience in ensuring free movement and the role of border regions in the future of Schengen.
Robert Gebel’s speech and Aldis Auster’s presentation are available here.
The conference attendees had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of both the historical challenges of Schengen, and future prospects – especially in the context of regional and institutional dynamics.