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Germany's Merz: want to keep Schengen area but cannot be abused

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on July 1, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 23, 2026

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Germany's Merz: want to keep Schengen area but cannot be abused
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BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany wants to retain the EU's Schengen area which allows free movement but that can only work if it is not abused by criminals who smuggle migrants, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said

Chancellor Merz Advocates for Schengen Area Amid Migration Concerns

BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany wants to retain the EU's Schengen area which allows free movement but that can only work if it is not abused by criminals who smuggle migrants, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Tuesday.

"We naturally want to preserve this Schengen area, but freedom of movement in the Schengen area will only work in the long term if it is not abused by those who promote irregular migration, in particular by smuggling migrants," he said at a news conference with his counterpart from Luxembourg.

(Reporting by Rachel MoreWriting by Madeline ChambersEditing by Miranda Murray)

Key Takeaways

  • Chancellor Merz supports the Schengen area's preservation.
  • Free movement must not be abused by migrant smugglers.
  • Germany collaborates with Luxembourg on migration issues.
  • Merz emphasizes the need for sustainable migration policies.
  • The Schengen area's future depends on preventing abuse.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Germany's position on the Schengen area?
Germany wants to retain the EU's Schengen area, which allows for free movement, but emphasizes that it must not be abused by criminals.
What concerns did Chancellor Merz express regarding migration?
Chancellor Merz stated that the freedom of movement in the Schengen area can only work long-term if it is not exploited by those promoting irregular migration.
Who is the Chancellor of Germany mentioned in the article?
The Chancellor of Germany mentioned in the article is Friedrich Merz.

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