From 2015[update], Andorra, Monaco and San Marino negotiated an association agreement with the EU. Andorra`s ambassador to Spain, Jaume Gaytén, said he hoped the agreement would include provisions that would make states associated with the Schengen agreement. [114] Although some European politicians called for the temporary closure of Europe`s internal borders,[156] at the end of February 2020, the European Union decided to reverse the idea of suspending the Schengen area and introducing border controls with Italy. [157] [158] [159] [160] [161] [162] The vice-president of the Ticino League, Lorenzo Quadri, criticized the decision: „It is alarming that the dogma of open borders is considered a priority.“ [163] US President Donald Trump said that the European Union had „failed to take the same precautions and limit travel from China and other crisis hotbeds,“ as the US did. [164] Schengen states with a common land border with a third Member State are allowed, in accordance with the European Union Regulation 1931/2006, to conclude or maintain bilateral agreements with neighbouring third countries for the purpose of implementing a border area system. [273] Such agreements define a border area of up to 50 km on both sides of the border and provide for the granting of permits for small border traffic for the inhabitants of the border area. Authorizations can be used to cross the EU`s external border within the border area, are not stamped when crossing the border and must include the name and photo of the holder, as well as a statement indicating that the holder is not allowed to travel outside the border area and that any abuse is punishable. [22] Id. Art. 2, par. 5, letter a), b. The free movement of persons is extended to citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) on the basis of an agreement with Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein, as well as to Swiss citizens.

[28] Commission report to the European Parliament and Council, second semi-annual report on the functioning of the Schengen area, 1 May 2012 – 31 October 2012, 3, p. 686, ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-is-new/news/pdf/2_en_act_part1_v7_schengen.pdf 11/23/1012. The Schengen area currently covers a territory mainly in Western and Southern Europe, with more than 400 million inhabitants: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.