„Who needed all this – Bulgarian and Romanian citizens to be kept outside the Schengen area? Who won? Has the European economy become more competitive? No, it didn't! Did we solve the big security issues on the external borders with the fact that the Bulgarians and Romanians were outside it? No, that didn't work either! Quite the opposite – with our efforts the Schengen area becomes stronger.“. This was said by Ilhan Kyuchuk during the debates in Strasbourg on the expectation of full membership of Bulgaria and Romania in Schengen.
The MEP was adamant that this is the moment to confirm once again that the lessons have been learned and recalled that at the beginning of his political activity in the EP, nearly 11 years ago, the membership of Bulgaria and Romania in Schengen was was the first topic of debate. And he wished that this would really be his last speech on the subject.
Kyuchuk expressed his gratitude to his colleagues in the EP, who, according to him, have shown political wisdom, very mature positions and, above all, persistence, realizing the possibility of solving this issue – not only in the interest of the Bulgarian and Romanian citizens, but also in the interest of the European project as a whole.