MEPs debate the decision by the Council to not extend the travel-free Schengen area to Romania and Bulgaria. Extracts from the debate in plenary.

debate

plenary session

EU - Romania (T)

EU - Bulgaria (T)

Schengen (T2)

MUREŞAN, Siegfried (EPP, RO)

CIOLOŞ, Dacian (Renew, RO)

YONCHEVA, Elena (S&D, BG)

JOHANSSON, Ylva (SE, EC)

BALAŠ, Vladimír

The recent JHA Council decision on Schengen accession: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Vladim&#237;r BALA&#352;, Czech Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, The proposed draft council decision that would allow for lifting the internal border controls in Bulgaria and Romania from 1st January 2023, has not unfortunately gained the unanimous support as required. Work will continue on this basis to ensure that we can welcome Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen family in the near future. The Council remains committed to continuing this work in the next semester and the upcoming Swedish Presidency has already expressed the determination to continue these efforts.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, I need to express my deep disappointment. I deeply regret the Council did not take a positive decision, especially since it has long been the Commission's view that Bulgaria and Romania fulfil all the criteria to be full members of the Schengen area for more than 11 years already.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Bulgaria and Romania have highly trained and dedicated staff state of the art infrastructure and know how. They have done the work. They are ready. They deserve to be in. More than that, it's a legal obligation and they have a legitimate expectation to join. These are the rules.

SOUNDBITE (Romanian), Siegfried MURE&#350;AN (EPP, RO), Despite 26 Member States being in favour. Austria was able to wield its veto. Austria's veto is unjust. The truth is on our side. We reject populism, we reject unjustified arguments. We will use objective arguments, official figures. Romania is not a source of migration. Never has been. Our objective is to join the Schengen area and will work with everybody necessary to reach this objective as soon as possible.

SOUNDBITE (French), Elena YONCHEVA (S&amp;D, BG), The Netherlands and Austria flagrantly abused their rights, trampling on Schengen legislation but the Treaty on Fundamental Principles and as guardian of the treaty, the European Commission has the obligation to react and allow me to say that Bulgaria doesn't need reassuring words. We need specific action. We need specific action to be taken.

SOUNDBITE (Romanian), Dacian CIOLO&#350; (Renew, RO), This abusive wielding of a cynical veto has shattered European solidarity and has put the credibility of the EU on the line. I expect the heads of State and government to find a solution as soon as possible to lift this blocage, which is illegal and unjust and is just grist to the mill of extremist and anti-Europeans heads of state and government. The matter is in your hands and it absolutely must be resolved by the end of the year.