What role did France play in the development of the Schengen Agreement and European border policy?

The Schengen Agreement is a cornerstone of the European Union's border policy, which allows for the free movement of people across most of the EU member states without border checks. France played a key role in the development of the Schengen Agreement, both in its initial negotiations and subsequent implementation.

In the 1980s, France, along with Germany, played a leading role in the negotiations that led to the signing of the Schengen Agreement in 1985. The agreement was named after the Luxembourgish town where the signing took place, but its provisions were largely based on a Franco-German initiative for a common visa policy and the abolition of internal border controls.

After the signing of the agreement, France was one of the first countries to implement its provisions, starting with the elimination of border checks with Belgium in 1993, followed by the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, and Spain. Since then, the Schengen Area has expanded to include most EU member states, as well as some non-EU countries, such as Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland.

However, in recent years, the Schengen Agreement has come under pressure due to the refugee crisis and the rise of populist and nationalist movements in some EU member states. France has been among the countries advocating for a stronger EU-wide border policy and more effective management of external borders, in order to preserve the integrity of the Schengen Area and prevent illegal migration and terrorism.