site.btaBulgarian MEPs Expect Historic Schengen Decision on December 12

Bulgarian MEPs who participated in the debate on Tuesday evening in the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Schengen expressed gratitude and hope for the expected imminent decision of the EU Council to abolish checks at the land Schengen borders of Bulgaria and Romania.

Ivaylo Valchev (There Is  Such a People/European Conservatives and Reformists Group) pointed out in his speech from the EP rostrum that a positive, but belated, outcome is expected. He noted that a lot of time has been lost, the two countries have so far not been allowed into Schengen for political reasons, and this has strengthened Euroscepticism in both countries. He warned that anti-European populist organizations are gaining support from this. Europe has allowed itself to create the feeling that there are “second-hand” nations, he said. Valchev noted the need for additional and permanent financial support to strengthen the EU’s external border.

Stanislav Stoyanov (Vazrazhdane/Europe of Sovereign Nations) pointed out that Schengen used to represent peace and freedom in Europe, but today it is an ineffective and vulnerable system and a threat to the EU’s security. The EU’s priorities must shift to the external borders, he insisted, and called for financial, technical and logistical support for the countries bearing this responsibility.

Andrey Kovachev (GERB/EPP) said that the postponement so far has caused serious damage to the Bulgarian economy and the investment climate in the country, he summarized.

Ilhan Kyuchyuk (Movement for Rights and Freedoms/Renew Europe) expressed hope that he won't have to give any more speeches in the EP about Bulgaria and Romania’s accession to Schengen. He thanked his colleagues and the European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson. Kyuchyuk added that the postponement of the decision so far has not contributed to the European economy, nor to improving security at the EU's external borders.

Emil Radev (GERB/EPP) pointed out that the abolition of land border checks is a matter of justice, and the decision coming into force as early as January next year is not a technical measure, but will show the EU's ability to act as one. "We have proven that we are a reliable partner. We expect a historic decision on December 12," he said.

Nikola Minchev (Continue the Change/Renew Europe) described the moment as “key for the EU”. Land border checks are an unjustified barrier, they reinforce unnecessary divisions.

At the proposal of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU, European interior ministers are expected to vote on a proposal to abolish checks at the Bulgarian and Romanian land Schengen borders on December 12.