EPP group leader in EP: Bulgaria should be immediately accepted into Schengen

Bulgaria should be accepted into Schengen immediately.This was stated MEP Manfred Weber, EPP group leader in the European Parliament, on 23^rd of August in Rezovo - the most south-eastern continental point of the EU. Weber agreed with Prime Minister Borissov's arguments not to sign the agreement on the return of migrants and accepted the thesis that border guards are of paramount importance. The Prime Minister and the influential German politician have checked how Bulgaria’s border with Turkey is guarded.

Manfred Weber went to see how EU external border between Bulgaria and Turkey was guarded by air, land and water.

Bulgaria provides evidence that border controls can be carried out properly, the external border can be safeguarded and illegal migration pressure is stopped. Bulgaria is doing a great job in protecting the EU borders, he said.

Manfred Weber also noted that in that regard Bulgaria’s cooperation with Turkey is very important, as well as the good dialogue between Prime Minister Borissov and Turkish President Erdogan. According to Weber, our country can be a good example for other European countries in terms of effective border control.

My impressions after my visit today are that Bulgaria fully meets the requirements and should be immediately admitted to Schengen because it does better in protecting the borders in comparison with some countries that have been Schengen members for a long time.

Weber said it would be good for sceptics from France, Germany and the Netherlands to come and see how Bulgaria’s border with Turkey is protected.

There are no first and second-class Europeans, we are equal people and we must accept that the enlargement of Schengen will help to protect our borders, Weber said.

Prime Minister Borissov said he urges our country to be accepted with its air and sea borders in Schengen immediately. He added that the land borders could wait because it is in favour of better control of the migratory flow coming from Greece.

He said that Bulgaria is indeed an exemplar for other Euroepan countries to follow in protecting the European borders.

And I do not think we should be punished with return of migrants. That's why I did not agree to sign the agreement. If all countries fulfil their commitments the way we do, an estimated 10-15,000 migrants would arrive annually in the EU, Borissov said.

Weber added that the big problem of some countries is the protection of sea borders, and the facts show that the migration flow through the Bulgarian Black Sea border is zero.

Borisov and Weber agreed that in addition to good border protection, centre for accommodation of migrants should be established outside EU.