site.btaMajority in European Parliament Supports Full Accession of Bulgaria and Romania to Schengen

The largest political groups in the European Parliament expressed strong support on Tuesday for the upcoming abolition of checks at the Schengen land borders of Bulgaria and Romania. The MEPs shared expectations that such a decision will be adopted soon.

The Group of the European People's Party (EPP) pointed out that after many years of negotiations and fulfilling the requirements since 2011, there is now hope for the full admission of Bulgaria and Romania to Schengen from 2025. The EPP insisted that nothing less than a positive decision by the EU Council would be acceptable.

The Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) expressed their gratitude to the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU for its efforts and to European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson for the support. S&D MEP Kristian Vigenin was confident that the "long-running soap opera" will have a happy ending.

The Patriots for Europe Group urged the European Commission to provide Bulgaria and Greece with funds to strengthen their land borders with Turkiye. According to the Patriots, the EU should support Romania and Bulgaria in their efforts to pay their border guards a decent wage.

The European Conservatives and Reformists Group pointed out that it is unacceptable to maintain checks at the border between Bulgaria and Romania.

Renew Europe Group described the imminent abolition of checks at the Bulgarian and Romanian Schengen borders as a victory for both countries after so many years. This is a victory for the European project as well, congratulations to Johansson, the political entity added.

The Group of the Greens also acknowledged Johansson's contribution and pointed out that the forthcoming decision will reduce the environmental pollution caused by vehicles having to wait for long checks.

The Left group said that Schengen is being abused with the temporary return of checks at some internal EU borders.

The Europe of Sovereign Nations Group expressed concerns that the removal of borders increases illegal migration and described such a move as irresponsible.