President Rumen Radev urged European leaders to accept Bulgaria and Romania in Schengen

Head of State Rumen Radev on November 8 sent letters to the leaders of the EU member states, in which in continuation to his statements on Bulgaria's and Romania's bid to join Schengen, made at the European Council meetings in Prague and Brussels, he reiterated Bulgaria's contribution to the protection of the external European borders, as well as the significant financial, technical and human resources invested in this.

In his letters to the European leaders, President Rumen Radev recalled the repeated recognition by the European Commission and the European Parliament of Bulgaria's readiness to join Schengen.

The Head of State also drew attention to the resolution adopted by a significant majority on 18 October this year, in which the European Parliament called on the EU Council to fully implement the provisions of the Schengen acquis in Bulgaria and Romania by the end of 2022.

"Bulgaria fully adheres to the Schengen acquis in all key areas of external border management," the Head of State stressed.

He added that the effective border control implemented by Bulgaria was confirmed by EU experts during their field mission in Bulgaria on 12-13 October this year. This mission took place at the initiative of Bulgaria and Romania in response to the requests expressed by some of the member states to review the implementation of the Schengen acquis.

"Bulgaria's will, capacity and dedicated efforts to be part of the Schengen area are an expression of Bulgaria's solidarity with its European partners. It is time to reciprocate this approach by supporting our full membership in the Schengen area," Rumen Radev said.

In the Head of State's words, it is time for pragmatic solutions to prevent new dividing lines in the European Union.

He stressed that against the backdrop of the severe crisis in the security and economic environment, when solidarity and dynamic economic exchanges are particularly necessary, keeping Bulgaria and Romania out of Schengen does not contribute to the common efforts to tackle the challenges. The President is confident that at the upcoming Justice and Home Affairs Council in December, Bulgaria and Romania will receive support from the leaders of the other EU member states.

Additionally, in his letter to the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, with whom President Rumen Radev held personal talks at the latest two European Council meetings, the Head of State made a proposal to hold expert meetings to discuss the reservations expressed by the Netherlands on Bulgaria and Romania's accession to Schengen.

"We are ready to provide additional information and respond to the concerns the Netherlands may have regarding Bulgaria's readiness to join the Schengen area," Radev said in his letter.