site.btaEPP Manifesto Calls for Schengen Entry for Land Travel for Bulgaria and Romania

At the EPP congress in Bucharest, the European People's Party adopted with complete unanimity, without a single vote against a manifesto with political priorities for the period 2024-2029, which calls for Bulgaria's and Romania's accession to the Schengen area. The Austrian delegation of the ruling People's Party refused to vote against it, despite having voiced their intention to do so earlier in the day. 

"We need full Schengen admission for Bulgaria and Romania, lifting not just air and sea controls but also land border controls as soon as possible. We need to repair the currently dysfunctional Schengen Area, particularly by further strengthening the EU’s external border protection and by preventing illegal migration to Europe in order to realise a secure and completed Schengen Area without internal border controls," the 23-page document notes. 

It also highlights other foreign policy issues, including Ukraine.

"The EPP has demonstrated unwavering support for Ukraine since the very beginning of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression. Ukraine defends not only its own freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity but also our shared European values. The EPP will remain a leader in mobilising much-needed EU support and assistance until Ukraine’s decisive victory. It is of paramount importance that the European Union remains committed and united in its support of Ukraine. Europe must, in cooperation with its allies, find ways to amplify its support to Ukraine. This includes political, economic, humanitarian and military aid, for as long as it takes. Europe will stand united with Ukraine against Putin. Ukraine must win the war. This requires certainty regarding the long-term financing of Ukraine for its economic and social recovery, modernisation and reconstruction. We have delivered in an unprecedented way financial support and military capabilities. We have protected millions of Ukrainian refugees. We have created a lifeline to the Ukrainian economy by supporting its exports to the world. We have developed a biting EU sanctions regime against Russia and are effectively addressing sanctions circumvention while further strengthening their scope where and when necessary. The EU needs to continue and step up its support. The war in Ukraine is directly linked to European security. Ukraine should become a member of the EU and NATO as soon as it fulfils all criteria. The EU has to be ready to enlarge.," the manifesto states. 

The document provides for the tripling of Frontex staff from 10 to 30,000 and a larger budget for the purchase of modern equipment.

"European Member States, not smugglers, must decide who enters Europe. Despite a complete refusal by the extreme right to engage constructively in reducing migration and the reluctance of the left to reduce illegal migration, our priorities are clear. To begin with, we must ensure stronger external borders, with better and more rigorous screening of irregular arrivals. Entry at the EU’s external borders must be electronically monitored in a 

comprehensive way. This includes structural and technical border protection wherever necessary. We need as soon as possible an effective external border protection in place; otherwise we cannot exclude controls at internal borders. It is crucial to reinforce every measure against human smugglers and traffickers, break their business model and end their impunity. We need increased burden sharing in times of crisis, better-shared responsibilities and strong protection of human rights, with special attention to vulnerable people," the manifesto states. 

It also addresses economic challenges. 

"In a changing economic world, Europe is coming under increasing pressure: Europe’s share of world GDP has fallen from 20% to 15% while China’s has risen from 7% to 19% over the last half century. In addition, out of the top 50 global firms, only 6 are European while 20 are from the US and 13 from China. We must make our economy fit for new challenges," is one of the paper's conclusions.

The EPP congress in Bucharest will continue on March 7, when the political family is expected to nominate its leading candidate on the list for the upcoming European elections in June - current Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.