My views on the Schengen hypocrisy as a Westerner

The argument of ‘migrant floods’ has not held in the past, doesn’t make sense now and will also be used to deny Croatia access to Schengen. It is not like the Netherlands or other Western European countries are this Walhalla of jobs. Others see economic problems as well and will not come in huge numbers to a shrinking economy. This shrinking will lead to some Dutch losing their jobs. But that is called capitalism! 

In Paola's previous article on the Schengen Treaty and her views on Bulgarian accession, it was very nice to read that two sides were recognized – Western European domestic politics and Bulgarian affairs. I fully agree with this position. It is a combination of ‘old’ Europe saying no out of domestic consideration while Bulgaria is facing challenges making it troublesome to get in. However I want to make one addition: it is more about Western European politics than Bulgarian affairs. I’ll come straight to the point.

Yes there is political instability and yes some unfortunate events have happened in Bulgaria which to a certain degree justifies Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and the United Kingdom as some others to deny Bulgaria access to the Schengen ‘free movement of goods and persons’ agreement. However, these are distractions from the real issues. And these real issues lay with the Western member states and not with Bulgaria.

For some reasons Bulgaria and Romania are connected on this issue. If one of the two sovereign independent member states of the European Union doesn't fulfil all criteria, both will not be allowed to sign the treaty. It is unprecedented in European Union history that two member states are forcefully coupled like that. But both member states are ‘legally bound to join’, meaning they are forced to take the necessary steps to be allowed in on technical matters but are not sure if they will be allowed in, on second rate criteria. That seems a little odd in a Union of states who see the rule of law as a key matter: you have to fulfil rules but when you do it is still not sure if we allow you to become a full member.

Bulgaria has fulfilled all criteria set. Nonetheless, if there would be genuine concerns I would fully support denying access. Yes, there was a terrorist attack last summer, but Spain has also been victim of that. Yes, the borders are not 100% closed but neither is the Greek-Turkish border. Yes there is some smuggling and corruption but what about the huge amounts of drugs which pass the port of Rotterdam and Schiphol airport every year? Because these differences exist, the EU has established objective criteria to become part of the Schengen area.  If a country aims to join it has to fulfil these. Bulgaria has, according to the European Commission.

Therefore, I say Bulgaria is not to blame, Bulgaria is just unlucky in its timing. After saying ‘no’ to the European Constitution and still getting a new treaty (Lisbon Treaty), enlargement fatigue, economic crisis and bail-outs for a few countries there is some reluctance towards the EU, or maybe better towards South and East Europe. Most politicians see the benefits of enlarging the Schengen area but have problems explaining this to the wider public. Others misuse anti-EU rhetoric for electoral gains though they will not change a thing. In order to become government party the parties express these ‘short-term, tough’ thoughts. There is a lack of vision and the current politicians lack the ability to think more than 4 years ahead.

The argument of ‘migrant floods’ has not held in the past, doesn’t make sense now and will also be used to deny Croatia access to Schengen. It is not like the Netherlands or other Western European countries are this Walhalla of jobs. No, there are economic problems and others see that as well. They will not come in huge numbers to a shrinking economy; they want work and to provide their families with a better future. Of course, there are different working standards within Europe and that will lead to some Dutch losing their jobs. But that is called capitalism! These migrants are willing to work for less or for more hours or at different times or certain jobs, which lots of Dutch refuse. I don’t want to work on asparagus fields but I do want to eat them! That’s what happened in the 1960s and 1970s as well with the guest workers, and these European migrants at least have the same cultural background. If the governments are really interested in creating equality at the labour market, they would aim to change EU social policy, and not deny access for a few years. Again short term thinking and it does not solve whatever problem there is.

One of the main issues is that the Western European states and people do not understand the Eastern European mentality. A lot can be done if both sides invest time and efforts in exchanging. Similar to when Western Europe invites Eastern Europe authorities or state officials to educate them on legal, security or political matters, Eastern Europe and Bulgaria can find a way to invite Westerns to learn more about the country, its specifics and character -  either through common projects or through intentional pan-European dialogue programs.