Activites

• 2011/10/13 Results of vote in Parliament
  • Results of vote in Parliament
  • T7-0443/2011 summary

    The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to Schengen.The resolution was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ALDE, Greens/EFA and GUE/NGL groups.Noting that Romania and Bulgaria have fulfilled all the criteria for successful conclusion of the Schengen evaluation process, Parliament points out that both countries have fundamentally redesigned and reorganised their integrated border management systems by investing substantially in their law enforcement authorities, and have visibly reinforced their institutional and legal frameworks, a fact which is acknowledged in all the Schengen evaluation reports. Both countries' preparedness for joining the Schengen area was certified by Parliament in its resolution of 8 June 2011 and by the Council in its conclusions of 9 June 2011.During the European Council of 24 June 2011, the heads of state and government agreed that the decision concerning the accession of Bulgaria and Romania should be taken no later than September 2011, but this decision has been postponed following the Council's failure to vote during its meeting of 22 September 2011.Since both countries have fully implemented the Schengen acquis, which –according to their Accession Treaty and the existing EU legal framework – is the only prerequisite for their accession to the Schengen area, Parliament urges all Member States to take the decision on enlarging the Schengen area to include Bulgaria and Romania solely on the basis of the Schengen acquis and procedures. It believes that additional criteria cannot be imposed on Member States which are already in the process of joining the Schengen areaAccordingly, Members reiterate Parliament's support for enlarging the Schengen area to include Bulgaria and Romania, and call on the European Council to proceed in accordance with the EU Treaty and to take the necessary measures to enable Romania and Bulgaria to accede to the Schengen area. All Member States are called upon to honour their commitments under the EU legal framework as regards the Schengen accession criteria, and not to give priority to national populism.

• 2011/10/12 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament

Documents

• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Results of vote in Parliament: Results of vote in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T7-0443/2011

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)