Full application of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in Bulgaria and Romania

The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted the report drafted by Carlos COELHO (EPP, PT) approving the draft Council decision on the full application of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania, subject to one amendment.

Although both Romania and Bulgaria have proved that they are sufficiently prepared to apply all the provisions of the Schengen acquis in a satisfactory manner, some additional measures should be adopted by Bulgaria following the evaluation on the progress of its preparation for the application of the Schengen provisions. This concerns in particular, the preparation of a special plan containing actions to be implemented at the moment of entering Schengen and also a joint approach (between Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria) in order to be able to respond to the possible strong increase in migration-pressure.

As a consequence, Members call on each Member State concerned to inform the European Parliament and the Council in writing within six-months of the date of entry into force of this Decision on the follow up that was given to the recommendations that are contained in the evaluation reports and are referred to in the follow-up reports, which still need to be implemented.