3.4.2013   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 94/13

—

having regard to its position of 8 June 2011 on the draft Council decision on the full application of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania (1),

—

having regard to the conclusions of the Justice and Home Affairs Council held in Luxembourg on 9 and 10 June 2011,

—

having regard to the conclusions of the European Council of 24 and 25 June 2011,

—

having regard to the questions of 29 September 2011 to the Council and the Commission on the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to Schengen (O-000224/2011 – B7-0440/2011, O-000225/2011 – B7-0621/2011, O-000223/2011 – B7-0439/2011),

—

having regard to Rules 115(5) and 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.

whereas the free movement of persons is a fundamental right guaranteed to EU citizens by the Treaties;

B.

whereas the creation of the Schengen area and the integration of the Schengen acquis into the EU framework is one of the greatest achievements of the European integration process;

C.

whereas Romania and Bulgaria have fulfilled all the criteria for successful conclusion of the Schengen evaluation process;

D.

whereas 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;

E.

whereas, 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;

F.

whereas the decision on the accession of Romania and Bulgaria has been postponed following the Council’s failure to vote during its meeting of 22 September 2011;

1.

Points out that both countries have fundamentally redesigned and reorganised their integrated border management systems by investing substantially in their law enforcement authorities, including the provision of training and the latest technology, and have visibly reinforced their institutional and legal frameworks, a fact which is acknowledged in all the Schengen evaluation reports;

2.

Notes the constant support and solidarity shown by Bulgaria and Romania as reliable partners in south-eastern Europe, along with their continual contribution to border security in this part of the EU;

3.

Underlines that 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;

4.

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; believes that additional criteria cannot be imposed on Member States which are already in the process of joining the Schengen area;

5.

Reiterates Parliament’s support for enlarging the Schengen area to include Bulgaria and Romania, and calls 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;

6.

Calls on all Member States to honour their commitments under the EU legal framework as regards the Schengen accession criteria, and not to give priority to national populism;

7.

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.