(VOVworld) – The migrant crisis in the EU has had serious consequences on some member countries. The EU has considered a halt to the Schengen visa free travel agreement in two years to tighten security.

The Schengen agreement allows citizens of 26 member countries to travel without a visa. Visas issued in a Schengen country are accepted in all other members. 

The EU’s plan to halt the Schengen agreement shows that its security is under great pressure from the migration of about 1.2 million people to the EU this year. The EU has threatened Greece with indefinite suspension from the Schengen passport-free travel zone unless it overhauls its response to the migration crisis, as frustration mounted over Athens’ reluctance to accept outside support. The suspension can be applied not only to Greece but some other Schengen countries. Investigations show that at least 2 of the terrorists associated with the Paris attacks on November 13 entered the EU from Leros island of Greece as migrants.

Some EU countries made unofficial proposals to narrow the Schengen Area, citing reasons that migrants from the Middle East and north Africa can enter the EU through Central European countries. Some countries unilaterally halted the Schengen agreement. Germany, which has an open approach to migration, has established border checkpoints since September. Austria and Slovakia have announced tightened security measures in the border areas to prevent migrants from Syria and the Middle East. Slovakia closed its borders and deployed soldiers at some border checkpoints to stop migrants.

It’s not the first time the Schengen agreement will be possibly suspended. In 2011, worried by migrants from North Africa, Italy and France proposed reviewing the agreement. Earlier this year, the Dutch Prime Minister threatened Greece with expulsion if it allowed migrants free passage to the rest of Europe.

The Schengen agreement has helped its members develop trade relations and tourism. The Schengen Area has been a symbol of European unity.