The Schengen Evaluation Mechanism: Exploring the Views of Experts in the Field of Police Cooperation

Abstract

Freedom of movement was founded in Europe over 30 years ago, signing the Schengen agreement 1985. The convention implementing the Schengen Agreement (CISA) took effect in 1995. It was incorporated into EU law and considered a major achievement of European integration. The Schengen evaluation mechanism has been developed as guarding system for establishing and maintain effective cooperation and mutual trust among member states. There have been major changes within the mechanism, the initial intergovernmental peer review process is now a community method led by the European Commission. This study analyses the development of the Schengen area and the evaluation process, exploring the views of the evaluation experts assessing police cooperation. The research found that although the new evaluation system was considered appropriate for the monitoring the arrangements, there are key areas that could be improved within the process of conducting evaluations, maintaining expertise and sharing best practise.