MEPs debate with the Commission and the Concil The recent JHA Council decision on Schengen accession for Romania and Bulgaria. Opening statements by Vladimir BALAŠ, Czech Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, for the Council and by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs.

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

EU - Romania (T)

Schengen reform package (T)

EU - Bulgaria (T)

JOHANSSON, Ylva (EC)

BALAŠ, Vladimír

The recent JHA Council decision on Schengen accession: opening statements by Vladimir BALAŠ , Czech Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, for the Council and by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

SOUNDBITE (English), Vladimír BALAŠ, Czech Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Dear Mr. President. Dear Madam Commissioner Johansson, honourable Members of Parliament. On fifth October this year, the Czech President stated here that the completion of the Schengen area, by including in the area of internal border controls. All Member States who fulfil the conditions was a priority for us.

SOUNDBITE (English), Vladimír BALAŠ, Czech Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, We are very pleased that during our presidency, Croatia was able to take this important step by joining the Schengen area without internal border controls. And I would like to congratulate our creation colleagues for reaching such a milestone. They have also stated that the Czech presidency was committed to making progress, so as to enable Bulgaria and Romania to be fully part of the Schengen area.

SOUNDBITE (English), Vladimír BALAŠ, Czech Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Significant progress was made during this semester and the common countries for all their work and efforts in this respect. Two fact finding missions to Bulgaria and Romania were carried out by Member States experts under the coordination of the Commission. The Council informed the European Parliament of these developments, including of the results of the two Fact-Finding missions in writing earlier this month.

SOUNDBITE (English), Vladimír BALAŠ, Czech Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, The Presidency concluded that both Bulgaria and Romania are ready to fully enter the Schengen area and appreciated their key role in the protection of the external borders, as well as their substantial contribution to the security of the Schengen area in general. The Presidency is convinced that Bulgaria and Romania put in place all the necessary tools, structures and procedures. Therefore they deserve to become full members of Schengen.

SOUNDBITE (English), Vladimír BALAŠ, Czech Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, At the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on eighth December, 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.

SOUNDBITE (English), Vladimír BALAŠ, Czech Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, 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. The Schengen area is one of the greatest achievements of our Union in recent years. It has been under considerable strain and considerable efforts were and still are required to ensure the resilience of the Schengen area.

SOUNDBITE (English), Vladimír BALAŠ, Czech Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, We remain convinced that the completion of the Schengen area by fully including Bulgaria and Romania, would constitute another key milestone in its functioning. Mainly in terms of improving the overall functioning of the EU's external borders. Thank you very much for your attention.

Speaker 4SOUNDBITE (English), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Thank you, President. Schengen is the largest free travel area in the world, an area of freedom, security and justice. Bringing liberty, prosperity and identity, because Schengen is part of who we are. So I say to the people of Croatia, welcome my warmest congratulations. You will start a new year as Members of the euro and Members of Schengen.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, But when it comes to the decision on Bulgaria, Romania, 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, And as to recent voluntary fact finding mission has confirmed Bulgaria and Romania are upholding Schengen standards of border protection and security and are doing so efficiently, reliably, honourably. All these years, Bulgaria and Romania helped build a well-functioning Schengen area, dealing effectively with the pandemic and with the fallout of Putin's war.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Romania and Bulgaria are doing an incredible job in managing the consequences of the war in Ukraine. Bulgaria provides temporary protection to around 150,000 Ukrainian refugees. Two and a half million people from Ukraine entered into Romania this year so far receiving support and assistance. I saw for myself at the Syrian border crossing the endless lines of women and children tired and afraid. And the border guards making sure they could cross swiftly and orderly and in a secure way.

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. And Schengen too is ready. This is not the Schengen or 2011, but a stronger Schengen with new Schengen governance. Around dedicated Schengen Councils with a key role for the European Parliament. Welcoming Bulgaria, Romania will remain my main priority.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, I am determined to make this happen. This is important for the citizens of Romania, Bulgaria. We will continue to work hard together with the Council to welcome Bulgaria, Romania next year. And I know that I can count on continued support of the European Parliament. And we need Bulgaria, Romania in Schengen. Like we need Croatia and all its others Members.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, I am the first to say there are challenges in the European Union, but we must not confuse them with the Schengen enlargement criteria. Challenges related to migration, to security, to the rule of law exist. Yes, it does. And we are addressing them with European solutions on all fronts. Fighting organised crime, one of my top priorities. We gave Europol a stronger mandate. We are boosting police cooperation. We fight corruption and uphold rule of law with our strong rule of law mechanism. We respond to migration challenges with very operational plans.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Just last week we presented a new action plan on the Western Balkans. And one very positive result of last week's Council, thanks to the leadership of the Czech presidency, is that clear progress on the pact on Migration and asylum. With negotiations on important files that we hope to close this week here in Strasbourg. Delaying Bulgaria, Romania entering, Schengen it will not make it easier to address these shared challenges. Quite the contrary. Welcoming Bulgaria. Romania will make us stronger, safer and protect all borders better.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, By moving border guards and resources from internal borders to protect the EU external border. Connecting Bulgaria and Romania to Schengen security databases, stepping up police cooperation and information exchanges cross border surveillance and hot pursuit. A regular, comprehensive Schengen evaluation will make sure standards remain high.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, The truth is simple. To fight crime and corruption and manage migration together, we need Bulgaria and Romania in. Their membership will also bring a much needed boost to the internal market by eliminating time lost at borders and by boosting travel, trade and tourism. So we all lost in the vote last week. There is only one winner and he lives in the Kremlin. And I know December is a season of giving. But I should say no presents for Putin.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Honourable Members, divided we are weak. United we are strong. As a union, we must now welcome Bulgaria and Romania to Schengen, as we promised, as they deserve, as it's only right. If we don't, then we are playing into Russia's hands. Allowing division, disunity and discord to spread. But if we do welcome them, then we all win. We would all benefit from a greater security and prosperity. And we should show the world, that at a time of our greatest need, Europe stands together. Thank you.

The recent JHA Council decision on Schengen accession: opening statements by Vladimir BALAŠ , Czech Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, for the Council and by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

Info

Description

Tags

Related media

Schengen area

EU - Bulgaria