Head of State Rumen Radev today sent letters to the leaders of the EU member states, in which he continued his statements on the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to Schengen, made at the European Council meetings in Prague and Brussels earlier this year, reiterating Bulgaria's contribution to the protection of the external European borders, as well as the significant financial, technical and human resources invested in this.

 

In his letters to the European leaders, President Radev recalls the repeated recognition by the European Commission and the European Parliament of Bulgaria's readiness to join Schengen. The head of State also draws attention to the resolution adopted by a significant majority on 18 October this year, in which the European Parliament calls on the European Council to fully implement the provisions of the Schengen acquis for Bulgaria and Romania by the end of 2022.

 

"Bulgaria fully adheres to the Schengen acquis in the key areas of management of the external borders," Radev stressed, adding that the effective border control was most recently confirmed by the EU experts during their field mission in Bulgaria on 12-13 October. The mission took place at the initiative of Bulgaria and Romania in response to the requests expressed by some of the member states to review the implementation of the Schengen acquis. 

 

"The will, the capacity and dedicated efforts of Bulgaria to be part of the Schengen area signify Bulgaria’s solidarity with the European partners. It is time that this approach be reciprocated by supporting our full membership in the Schengen area," Rumen Radev writes. In his words, "it is time for pragmatic and tangible decisions, which will prevent new dividing lines in the European Union."

 

The head of State also stresses that against the background of severe interlinked security and economic crises when solidarity and dynamic economic exchange are highly needed, keeping Bulgaria and Romania outside Schengen does not contribute to our joint efforts for tackling the challenges before us. The President does believe that at the forthcoming Justice and Homes Affairs Council in December 2022 the leaders of the other EU members will give their support to Bulgaria and Romania. 

 

Additionally, in his letter to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, with whom President Rumen Radev held personal talks at the last two European Council meetings, the head of State proposes to hold expert meetings to discuss the reservations expressed by the Netherlands on Bulgaria's and Romania's accession to Schengen. "We are open to offer any additional information and address any reservations the Netherlands may have regarding Bulgaria’s preparedness for joining the Schengen area," President Rumen Radev further writes in his letter.