Bulgarian MEPs issue joint declaration on Bulgaria, Romania's accession to Schengen

In relation to the debate in the European Parliament on the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area, Bulgarian MEPs from all groups issued a joint declaration in support of Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen.

"We, the representatives of Bulgaria in the EP, believe that the ongoing unprecedented 11-year blockade in the EU Council cannot and should not be tolerated any longer.

The removal of controls at the internal borders of Bulgaria and Romania is of key importance both for the economy and security of the two countries and for the EU as a whole. The technical readiness to secure the external borders of our two countries was confirmed by the European Commission as early as 2011 and, since then, this assessment has been repeatedly reaffirmed by various EU-level institutions, including the European Parliament. In 2018, in a special resolution initiated in the Stanishev report and supported by all Bulgarian MEPs, the EP insisted on the immediate abolition of border controls with Bulgaria and Romania simultaneously at all borders - land, sea and air. In May, the European Commission presented its annual report on the state of Schengen for 2022, once again calling for the consolidation of the Schengen area through the full accession of Bulgaria and Romania. The enlargement of the Schengen area will be a success for the whole EU and will make external borders stronger and more sustainable.

Until now, however, the Council's decision remains entirely political. It hides behind bureaucratic arguments, citing reasons that are not directly related to border management. Unfortunately, this neglect of the two countries, despite their technical readiness, fuels scepticism about decision-making at EU level, and a further delay would increase the risk of mistrust in the EU's will to deliver on its political commitments.

In times of inflation, uncertain energy markets and disrupted supply chains, the effects of the pandemic and military conflict on the continent, intensifying migration flows and the prevailing general uncertainty, the countries of Eastern Europe must be given the much-needed green light for formal Schengen membership. The opposite would lead to negative consequences - economic and political.

We, the Bulgarian representatives in the European Parliament, call on the EU Council to take a decision based on the fulfilment of objective criteria, which does not put European integration at an impasse, but gives a new start. Since its accession to the European Union in 2007, Bulgaria has fulfilled all the obligations of a Schengen external border, and over the years it has continuously proved that it is a reliable and predictable partner. In addition to the obligations, it is time for our country to assume the rights that the Schengen area gives to citizens and businesses.

The time of tolerating the eternal wait for the abolition of double standards is over. It is time for action!", says the declaration, distributed by the press office of Petar Vitanov.

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