France, June 18 -- On 14 June 1985, France, the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany, pre-reunification) and the Benelux countries - Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg - signed an agreement in Schengen, a small town in Luxembourg, that would, eventually, see checks at their common borders abolished. The 40 years since have seen delays, amendments and debates, with the political football of freedom of movement in Europe rarely out of play.

"No more borders between Brest and Copenhagen, nor between Munich and Lisbon... This Europe has begun to see the light of day today, with the abolition of police and customs controls between five Common Market countries."

When journalists reported with solemnity the signing of theSchengen Agr...