Brussels/Frankfurt, 2 June 2021 – Commenting on the EU Commission's communication on a new Schengen strategy, Thilo Brodtmann, Executive Director of VDMA, says:

"A review of the Schengen strategy was necessary. The uncoordinated border closures during the Corona pandemic showed that the single market is not crisis-proof and needs to be strengthened: It is important that member states do not reflexively close their borders but seek European solutions. It is therefore right that the EU Commission learns lessons from the crisis and puts a new Schengen strategy on the table. The rules of the internal market must be further developed. Above all, the member states are obliged to actually comply with them and to put national egoisms aside.

The free movement of people and goods is one of the most important achievements of the EU. Both EU citizens and businesses benefit from it. Export-oriented industries such as mechanical and plant engineering depend on open borders to function and to maintain supply chains. Postings of workers across national borders should run smoothly even in times of crisis. The EU internal market must - in the general interest - remain a political priority."