Bulgaria has fulfilled all criteria to join Schengen- EU Parliament Vice President

The Vice President of the European Union Parliament, Evelyn Regner, says Bulgaria has fulfilled all criteria for joining the Schengen Area, and there is no reason for its membership to be delayed.

Regner said , Bulgaria has “done its homework for Schengen”, in remarks made last week, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

“You have done your homework for Schengen. You have fulfilled all the criteria, and there is not a single objective reason to hinder your membership there. Bulgaria must be part of Schengen. That’s it!” her statement said.

Her statement is in contrast to her country Austria which blocked Bulgaria’s  accession last year.

She said that the decision of Austria to remain against the Schengen expansion with Bulgaria is a bad move.

Regners added she was “embarrassed” by Austria’s ongoing position.

“Bulgaria is also part of the Schengen family, having fulfilled all the criteria for membership. I am watching very closely when it will board for Schengen, and I am very embarrassed by the official position of my country,” Regner stressed.

Despite Austria’s stance,  the EU Commission just recently urged the Council to let Bulgaria, as well as Romania, fully join Schengen.

The Commission said earlier in May that the Council should let Bulgaria, together with Romania, join the passport-free area this year.

“The Commission calls once again on the Council to further strengthen European unity and allow Romania and Bulgaria to join Schengen fully,” the Commission said in a press release, listing the accession of Bulgaria and Romania as one of the top priorities.

 Members of the Parliament (MEPs)have also called for quick Schengen accession for Bulgaria..

Bulgarian MEP Ilhan Kyuchyuk said that Bulgaria and Romania plan on holding conferences in their respective countries to emphasize the importance of their accession in the Schengen Area.

Romanian MEP Vlad Botos also commented on the matter, saying that the two countries entered the EU together and will also enter the Schengen Area together.

 

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