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"The European Commission and the European Parliament represent the community interest of the European Union. These two institutions say that it is in the EU's interest for Bulgaria to join the Schengen area. However, the EU functions not only through its community interest, but also as an intergovernmental entity, which is The Council. The fact that we have the support of the EC and the EP is good, but it is not a sufficient condition". 

This is what Meglena Kuneva told BNR

Meglena Kuneva is a Bulgarian politician, the first European Commissioner from Bulgaria. Kuneva was born at 22. She was Bulgaria's chief negotiator with the European Union in two Bulgarian governments in the period 2001-2007. During her time, our country entered the Union.

Kuneva is also the first Bulgarian European Commissioner. 

And he added that from the moment when the monitoring of justice and internal order began to become a starting point for Schengen, the real political difficulties began. 

"Linking the monitoring mechanism to Schengen entry was a decision that Bulgaria could not prevent. Until 2010, as a commissioner, I tried to separate these two processes. My inner conviction is that we can change much faster when we are inside a system when we are joined. That should be the starting point now when we try to convince the countries that do not agree to be part of Schengen." 

In the "12+3"

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"The fact that we have a mechanism for the rule of law. The possibility of putting pressure on the governments in Bulgaria to reform - exists... The EU has never lost interest in Bulgaria's accession to Schengen". 

Donev: We have not given up Schengen, the Netherlands' arguments are unconvincing

According to her, from a geopolitical point of view, Bulgaria not being accepted into Schengen is not a good idea and this must be persistently explained by taking commitments from the Bulgarian side - what are we doing. 

"Schengen is a litmus test, including for the Eurozone. It is very important for us economically. If we do not enter the Eurozone, and Romania is in, it will put pressure on our economy. Bulgarian politicians are on their way". 

Meglena Kuneva

Schengen