site.btaEuropean Parliament Almost Unanimously Backs Bulgaria's Schengen Entry

Strasbourg, December 13 (BTA correspondent Nikolay Jeliazkov) - Of the eight political groups in the European Parliament (EP), only two (the European Conservatives and Reformists and Europe of Nations and Freedom) did not support an EP resolution insisting on Bulgaria's and Romania's accession to the Schengen area.

All other political groups declared that Bulgaria and Romania have fulfilled the criteria and the Council must take a unanimous decision on their becoming part of the border check-free area. In their opinion, Croatia, too, should join as soon as it meets the technical criteria. Wednesday's EP debate was initiated by the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D).

"Romania and Bulgaria are ready to join and we will continue to press Member States to stop blocking their accession. We wrote to [European Council] President Tusk to urge him to act on this, but so far his response has been vague and elusive. We cannot accept this. President Tusk and the Council must stop postponing matters due to selfish national interests and let Romania and Bulgaria join immediately. Europe must stand by its promises," S&D Group president Gianni Pittella said during the debate. "Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia are already successfully protecting the EU's South Eastern borders. Their entry into Schengen could boost Europe's economy by facilitating easier access to some of Europe's biggest southern freight ports. This would be an important achievement for a stronger and more prosperous EU and a good counterbalance to national populism," Pittella added.

Bulgarian S&D MEP Sergei Stanishev noted that for six years now Bulgaria and Romania have been meeting the criteria but are left out of Schengen because of the application of a double standard and discrimination. "This does not affect the two countries only but also confidence in the EU. The injustice must be ended," he insisted.

Another Bulgarian MEP, Filiz Hyusmenova of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), commented that blocking the two countries' Schengen entry is an infringement of EU law.

Angel Dzhambazki MEP of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR) stated that only political obstacles are posed to Bulgaria and Romania and three EU Member States, including Belgium and the Netherlands, make concessions to their Eurosceptic parties because of their domestic issues.

In the ensuing political group statements, the Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) said that Schengen will not be complete until all aspiring countries have acceded to it. Every country that has met the requirements must join. The truth is that Bulgaria and Romania fulfil the criteria.

According to ECR, corruption in Bulgaria and Romania is still there despite the European Commission reports. "Further efforts are needed before we give the green light to Schengen enlargement," the group declared.

ALDE described progress on the subject as discrimination against Bulgaria and Romania which must be discontinued immediately.

The European United Left-Nordic Green Left Group commented that all three Member States must join Schengen. According to that political group, Bulgaria and Romania have so far been treated as trash.

The Greens/European Free Alliance noted that Schengen accession is not only a right but also a treaty obligation for the EU countries. "One Member State cannot block the process, we cannot support the emergence of second-class Member States," they argued.

According to the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy Group, Schengen helps cross-border crime and must therefore be reconsidered.

The Europe of Nations and Freedom Group pointed out that the migrants did not reach the EU via Bulgaria and Romania.

Addressing the EP debate, EU Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos expressed the hope that Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia will soon be welcomed in Schengen.