Today, Olgierd Geblewicz, President of the EPP-CoR Group sent a letter to Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, Charles Michel, President of the European Council and Ulf Kristersson, Prime Minister of Sweden to express the views of the EPP-CoR Group on the recent JHA Council decision on Schengen. The letter can be found below.
Brussels, 18 January 2022
The members of the EPP-CoR Group are deeply concerned about the recent JHA Council decision on Schengen. While we fully support and welcome the accession of Croatia to the free-movement area, we strongly disagree with the arbitrary and unjustified discriminatory act of leaving Romania and Bulgaria excluded from one of the greatest achievements of European integration.
The EU members states, the EU institutions and the citizens of the EU are aware of the facts – both Romania and Bulgaria fulfil all requirements for joining Schengen for 11 years and have undergone the most stringent controls. They apply the Schengen acquis impeccably and have contributed to our security by shielding the EU from illegal migration flows in the past years. Schengen's free movement is only possible with their contribution and it will be weaker if they are not part of this space. Romanian and Bulgarian citizens are no second-class Europeans. They have the right to benefit from European integration the same way all other EU citizens do.
Today the EU is facing a credibility crisis and threats to its identity and security fuelled by the Russian war. This are times in which Europe needs solidarity and unity. We can withstand this pressure only if we strengthen European identity, if we deliver on our promises and apply European rules objectively and equally for all.
Schengen and the removal of barriers for our business and citizens is essential for the prosperity and cohesion of the regions and cities that we govern. Not delivering on Schengen means failing on cohesion in which we as regional and local authorities have invested heavily efforts and resources. We, regional and local leaders, the governance level standing the closest to citizens, know well the price one pays for not delivering on political promises. This act will only strengthen the anti-European and populist voices in all our countries, regions, cities and villages ahead of the upcoming European elections.
We call for your support to correct this injustice with concrete actions, thinking about the value of free-movement and solidarity for the future of our Europe project.
Yours sincerely,
Olgierd Geblewicz,
President of the EPP-CoR Group
President of West Pomerania Region
President of the Association of Polish Regions