On the initiative of the Bulgarian socialists, 73 MEPs sent a letter to the Council of the EU on Schengen – 2024-02-24 12:59:55

/ world today news/ The delegation of Bulgarian socialists in the EP, Petar Vitanov, Sergey Stanishev, Ivo Hristov, Elena Yoncheva and Tsvetelina Penkova, initiated a letter to the Council of the EU, with which they ask on what grounds a veto can be imposed on Bulgaria’s accession to The Schengen area. The letter was also signed by all other MEPs from Bulgaria, and was supported by a total of 73 representatives in the European Parliament from different countries, who are part of all political families. The matter has been addressed to the Council of the EU, under Rule 138 of the EP.

Here is the letter that was sent to the Council today:

Bulgaria and Romania are legally obliged to apply the Schengen acquis, with the exception of the provisions related to the abolition of internal borders. The two Member States do not have the right to choose which parts of Schengen legislation to apply and as a result bear all the burdens associated with the management of Schengen’s external borders without enjoying the benefits of the Schengen area.

In 2011, Bulgaria and Romania successfully completed the Schengen evaluation process, which was duly confirmed by the Council. At the same time, for more than 11 years, no political decision was made to abolish internal control.

In this context:

1. In previous Schengen enlargements, has there been any other precedent where Council members have requested additional assessments before voting on the decision?

2. Is there a legal basis that would allow the removal of internal borders to be tied to the level of representation of the respective country in the future community policies?

3. Is it a violation of the principle of loyal cooperation to obligate one member state to bear full responsibility for the implementation of Community policy in a certain area, while at the same time the same state is deprived of the benefits of the relevant policy for an unlimited period of time?

To contact the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the EP: