Bulgarian PM Blames Schengen Failure on Political Crisis

Bulgaria in EU | March 8, 2013, Friday| 973 views

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Bulgaria: Bulgarian PM Blames Schengen Failure on Political Crisis

Bulgaria's outgoing PM Boyko Borisov. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria's outgoing Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has claimed that his country would have joined Schengen if it were not for its internal political turmoil.

"I believe that we would have entered Schengen by air at the (European Council) meeting on March 14, since, as you know, only the Netherlands was against," Borisov stated during a Council of Ministers sitting.

"But the developments in Bulgaria are, of course, alarming for everyone, and not just because the government resigned," he added.

The debate on the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to Schengen was expectedly postponed for end-2013 during Thursday's sitting of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council.

At least three countries - Germany, Finland and the Netherlands - are currently opposing Bulgaria and Romania's Schengen accession bids, as they want the two Balkan countries to show more convincing results in their combat against corruption and organized crime.

Bulgaria's center-right GERB government resigned on February 20 amid mass nationwide protests over high utility bills, poverty and corruption.

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev has set May 12 as the date for early elections.

Tags: Boyko Borisov , Schengen , Schengen Accession , Schengen entry , GERB government , early elections
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Author: Tania OZ, 8 Mar 2013 23:56:18
Bulgarian PM Blames Schengen Failure on Political Crisis

Borisov, you are dreaming and you have been living in your own fantasy world and comfortable cocoon for far too long. What you believe and what is the reality are extreme opposites of the pole. Do you really expect people to believe anything you say? Especially when you jumped ship of your responsibilities like a true coward. We are not interested in hearing what you have to say. The fact is that the EC do not trust the Bulgarian government of whch you have been the Prime Minister in office. Wake up to yourself.

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Author: peterperfect, 9 Mar 2013 11:08:21
Bulgarian PM Blames Schengen Failure on Political Crisis

This is not the case and, even if it were, who is to blame BB? No, the inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania in the Schengen area was doomed months ago way before any of the demo's that brought down BB's government, even before the electricity price hike mid last year. If BB thinks his governments resignation brought this about he deludes himself and has not learned the lesson that the EU will not be hoodwinked into believing that, just because Bulgaria is "technically" ready for Schengen, that she is ready in all ways. Bulgaria must be seen to have a grip on its OC & corruption state, then it will be ready. If you have a nice "family", no matter how bad its internal wranglings are, you are not going to let a known criminal element in unless you want trouble.

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