Debate: Covid-: EU coordination of health assessments and risk classification and the consequences on Schengen and the single market
Date: TUESDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 2020
Speaker: Didier Reynders
Language: FR

Depuis le début de la pandémie, les États membres ont adopté une série de mesures en vue de lutter contre la propagation du virus, certaines d’entre elles venant limiter la libre-circulation au sein de l’Union. Ces mesures unilatérales, bien que prises en vue de protéger la santé publique, ont eu pour résultat d’importantes perturbations. The Commission has always stressed that any restrictions to the fundamental right of free movement taken to address public health risks should only be used where strictly necessary, and be coordinated, proportionate and non—discriminatory.  Businesses and citizens have been confronted with diverging measures, often adopted at very short notice and not sufficiently coordinated with other Member States. Many of us have felt this in our daily lives with long queues at the borders and confusion about where we can travel in the EU and under which conditions. Throughout the last months, the Commission has worked closely with the Member States to ensure EU citizens’ rights are respected. We issued several guidelines and communications linked to the pandemic. In a first step, we have successfully addressed challenges, such as blanket restrictions to free movement, but now most Member States have put an end to the controls they at first introduced at their international borders. However, restrictions to free movement persist and in some Member States have even been reinforced. Half a year after the beginning of this crisis, we can no longer afford uncoordinated restrictions to cross-border movement.  Mesdames et Messieurs, nous avons besoin d’une approche plus coordonnée, prévisible et transparente pour prévenir la diffusion du virus et préserver la santé des citoyens et la libre-circulation dans l’Union. Une coordination renforcée est cruciale pour les millions de citoyens qui traversent une frontière intérieure de manière régulière, pour la reconstruction de l’économie européenne et pour éviter les séparations de nombreuses familles de part et d’autre d’une frontière. C’est pour cette raison que, le 4 septembre dernier, la Commission a proposé une recommandation du Conseil pour une approche coordonnée en matière de restriction à la libre circulation. Notre proposition se fonde sur deux principes fondamentaux du droit européen, notamment en matière de libre-circulation: la proportionnalité et la non-discrimination. Ces principes doivent être respectés pour toutes les restrictions adoptées par les États membres. Notre proposition de recommandation met en avant une approche fondée sur quatre points. First, the introduction of common criteria for Member States when deciding whether to introduce restrictions to free movement: the case notification rate, which is the total number of newly notified cases per 100 000 people in a given area in the last 14 days, the test positivity rate, which is the percentage of positive tests among all tests carried out during the last week, and the testing rate, which is the number of tests per 100 000 people carried out during the last week. Second, a common colour code should be used across the Union to provide clarity for all. Third, a common approach should be established when dealing with travellers coming from areas deemed to be at higher risk. Fourth, giving clear, comprehensive and timely information to the public.  We need to step up our communication efforts. Member States should also inform each other and the Commission of any upcoming restriction on a weekly basis. This information should also be regularly provided to the Commission for publication on the reopened EU web platform, which already contains valuable information.  The Commission does not propose any new restrictions or encourage Member States to do so. Instead the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control stresses the importance of general sanitary measures in containing the virus, such as physical distancing and the wearing of masks. However, where a Member State does consider that travel restrictions are essential, the Commission wants to ensure that this is done in a more coordinated way. The decision to introduce such restrictions remains the responsibility of the Member States, which have to comply with EU law. Of course Member States have the possibility not to introduce restrictions at all, even if the different criteria outlined in the draft recommendation are met. We are working closely with the German Presidency and we look forward to the discussion on this proposal. If I may, allow me to add a few words on the Schengen area and the free movement of goods and services. Schengen is a major achievement of the EU and it is a living project. During 35 years of existence, it has faced many challenges that reshaped it, but now Schengen is at risk and not only because of the pandemic. Never before has the Schengen area been put to the test as in the last five years. After the migration crisis of 2015, but also after increased terrorist threats, controls at internal borders sometimes became the new normal. We are determined to change this situation. In the recent Security Union Strategy and in the upcoming New Pact on Migration and Asylum, the Commission is identifying a number of initiatives for a stronger and more complete Schengen, in particular as regards trust-building and efficiency of controls at the external borders. I know that, in addition to free movement of people, free movement of goods and services is a subject that is close to the heart of many in House. In this regard, let me reiterate a message already raised by Commissioner Breton within the Competitiveness Council on 1 September.  We need to ensure free movement of goods and services between Member States to safeguard supply chains. It is essential that all necessary measures are taken for this to become a reality on the ground so that both workers and goods are able to cross borders in less than 15 minutes. And, while our focus today is the smooth functioning of the EU internal market and Schengen, let us bear in mind that European supply chains have to remain connected to global ones, and the unrestricted access of essential transport workers from third countries needs to be upheld as well.  Madame la Présidente, Mesdames, Messieurs, pour conclure, la libre-circulation, l’espace Schengen et le marché intérieur sont parmi les principales réalisations de l’Union et sont d’une importance capitale pour l’économie européenne. Nous avons le devoir, plus que jamais, de les protéger dans cette période de crise. Nous devons travailler ensemble, plus étroitement encore, pour montrer aux citoyens européens qu’en cette période difficile, l’Union européenne est présente pour préserver leur santé ainsi que leurs droits et libertés. Nous travaillons de manière très étroite, je l’ai dit, avec la présidence allemande sur ces sujets et je vous remercie, évidemment, d’avoir inscrit ce point à l’ordre du jour. Je serai très heureux d’entendre vos observations et, si possible, de répondre à vos questions.