27 May 2011

Ms. Monika Panayotova, Chairperson of the Committee on European Affairs and Oversight of the European Funds and Dr. Andrey Kovatchev, Member of the European Parliament discussed with Bulgarian students the benefits and challenges related to Bulgaria's membership to Schengen. The public discussion was initiated by the “Political scientist” Student’s Club at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”.

Ms. Panayotova expressed satisfaction, regarding Bulgaria’s fully accomplished technical criteria to join the Schengen area, underlining that every euro invested in the Schengen financial instrument has been subject to double democratic control – both civil and political.

As a prerequisite to the progress achieved, the Chairperson emphasized the politically unbiased consensus reached by all parliamentary represented political groups on the issue Schengen, which is perceived as a national cause.

Ms Panayotova informed the students on the Parliamentary Foreign-Political Activities Program in support to the Bulgarian accession to the Schengen area, prepared jointly by both the CEAOEF and the Foreign Policy and Defense Committee, in the spirit of parliamentary diplomacy.

As a result of the joint efforts, Monika Panayotova emphasized on the positive assessment of EP rapporteur on the preparation of the entry of Romania and Bulgaria into the Schengen area Mr. Carlos Coelho, concerning the Bulgaria’s readiness for accession to the Schengen area, stating that Bulgaria is not only ready, but in some areas is better prepared than other countries which are already members of Schengen.

In her presentation, the Chairperson drew attention to certain widespread public stereotypes, in relation to Schengen, by pointing out counter arguments regarding the benefits for Bulgaria and its citizens from the accession to the Schengen area.

Among the main benefits from joining the Schengen area the following were pointed out - coordinated response to possible migration and refugee waves, business stimulus, investment climate improvement, enhancement of personal security as well as reduction of administrative and physical barriers to free movement of citizens.

The Chairperson of CEAOEF underlined the need to work hard towards youth awareness of the Schengen membership benefits. In this regard, Chairperson Panayotova familiarized the students with the forthcoming launch of the National Campaign "I am "FOR" Schengen".

During his speech Dr. Andrey Kovachev qualified the Schengen area as a "civilizational achievement" that has changed the face of Europe and to which Bulgaria belongs.

In reference to Bulgaria's readiness for Schengen membership, he stressed out that "the Bulgarian borders are very well protected” and qualified the effectiveness of border control by air, water and land, as one of Bulgaria’s main achievements in the preparation for Schengen.

Dr. Kovachev acquainted the students with the remaining steps towards the final decision for Bulgaria's accession to Schengen. Andrey Kovachev added that the main efforts are now focused on reaching a vast majority in the European Parliament on the report of Carlos Coelho during the its voting in early June 2011, which would send a strong political signal to the Council.

In this regard, Dr. Kovachev reminded that the adoption of a common political decision by the Member States on a possible timetable for Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen is more important than the agreement on a concrete date.

In the following discussion, the students raised questions, related to Bulgaria's readiness to respond to a possible migration wave including measures for immigrant integration. In response to those questions the following measures have already been undertaken - a Migration Strategy, elaborated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs as well as physical infrastructure to accommodate illegal immigrants and refugees.

The presentation “Why I am for Schengen?” could be found on the link below:
http://parliament.bg/pub/cW/20110530113824Schengen_pdf.pdf