The Parliament adopted a declaration regarding the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria to the Schengen area. The document, tabled by BSP for Bulgaria, was supported by 106 MPs, while 18 voted against it.
Continue the Change and Democratic Bulgaria did not participate in the vote, because they were not in the hall due to disagreements with changes to the Election Code adopted on Wednesday night by the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs.
In the declaration, the National Assembly declares its full support for the efforts of the Bulgarian government to achieve a decision of the EU Council for Bulgaria's Schengen membership by the end of 2022. The Bulgarian MPs urge the parliaments of the member countries to support Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen area, which will uphold the principles of equality and non-discrimination in the European Union. The Bulgarian Parliament calls on the Council of the EU to adopt a decision for the full implementation of the provisions of Schengen law in relation to Bulgaria, thereby guaranteeing the abolition of checks at all internal borders of the country - land, air and sea - from the beginning of 2023.
The text also states that Bulgaria fulfilled the criteria for joining Schengen as early as 2011, and its readiness has been repeatedly confirmed by the Council of the EU, the European Commission and the European Parliament.
The declaration also mentions the conclusions of the member states expert mission under the coordination of the EC earlier this year, which confirmed Bulgaria's readiness to successfully implement the latest Schengen acquis. The importance of joining the Schengen area for Bulgarian citizens, for businesses and for the environment is also emphasized, with an immediate effect on the easing of border checkpoints with Greece and Romania and facilitated transport connections with the entire EU.
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