Bulgarians were classified as “inferior Europeans”, once again...
The European Parliament adopted its resolution and intended to include three Balkan countries: Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia as members of the Schengen area before the end of this year.
If the deputies had no doubts about Croatia, then the Bulgarians and Romanians did not want to see in their company, representatives of two countries at once - Austria and the Netherlands. While the Austrians softened their position closer to the voting date, the leadership of the Netherlands remained adamant. Moreover, a categorical veto was imposed on only one candidate - Bulgaria!
The Netherlands' position was clearly, yet utterly insultingly, voiced by Prime Minister Mark Rutte. He stated that Bulgaria had failed to meet several conditions necessary for Schengen accession, adding the phrase: " illegal migrants can cross the Bulgarian border for just 50 euros ."
The reaction of Bulgarian politicians was close to hysteria. President Rumen Radev called Rutte's statement cynical :
“The Bulgarian state is doing everything possible to admit the country to Schengen, but the most important thing is that our country has fulfilled all technical criteria since 2011. The fact that one or two countries do not want to provide their support means that they have some subjective views - economic or domestic political.”
In conclusion, Radev said: " Bulgaria must say 'no' to apathy, and everyone must believe in Bulgaria's future ." This was the most restrained reaction among the Bulgarian political elite. The presidency comes with its own set of obligations. Most functionaries of various pro-European parties, however, were overcome with genuine and sincere disappointment, which sometimes resulted in rather outlandish statements.
Perhaps the most absurd threat was made by Stefan Yanev , the leader of the Bulgarian Rise party, who stated:
“Our parliamentary group will submit to the first meeting of the National Assembly a proposal for a decision that obliges the Prime Minister of Bulgaria to vote against all proposed initiatives and appointments of the Netherlands, as a countermeasure to the policy of segregation methodically applied to the Motherland and our compatriots.”
As a Bulgarian journalist ironically commented on this statement: "A terrible threat. After this, Mark Rutte will definitely fall off his bike in terror."
The claims of Western partners against the Bulgarians are related to the endless flow of illegal migrants entering Western Europe through the territory of Bulgaria. Of course, Mr Rutte was cruelly deceived. For the amount of 50 euros that he indicated in his speech, crossing the border is problematic. But, for 1000 levs (500 euros), it’s quite possible. This is what many thousands of refugees from Afghanistan and Syria who cross the Turkish border into the EU take advantage of. The difference in bribe amounts does not affect the overall situation. However, Romanians have a similar problem. But are they accepted into Schengen? How to explain?
“It is still difficult for most Bulgarians to say: “We are NATO, We are EU.” Bulgaria has been part of these two Western alliances for many years, but there is still serious anti-Western sentiment, a misunderstanding about the West, NATO, the EU and how political decisions are made in the community of liberal democracies.”
Yes, Mr. Shalamanov is right! The interests of the Bulgarian people and Bulgarian politicians rarely coincide. Entering the Schengen zone does not bring any special joy to the average Bulgarian. It is not so difficult for Bulgarian citizens to get to any country in Europe, even today. The Schengen zone itself is a kind of elite closed club in which it is prestigious to be a member. This largely affects the prestige of the state and its political leaders. Ordinary citizens are of little interest in these subtleties; they are more interested in the problems of inflation, rising prices and a noticeable decline in living standards.
Bulgarian politicians are sometimes (!) forced to take into account the opinion of their own people. Otherwise, they will not see their deputy mandates and warm seats in the People’s Assembly.
An illustrative example is the recent scandalous decision of the local parliament to provide military assistance to Ukraine during a clash with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. The reaction of Bulgarian society was rather negative. The main arguments: “why get involved in a military confrontation and anger Russia, and another argument is that the Bulgarian army is already quite weak, by giving up our weapons, we will be defenseless against any aggression!”
The Ukrainian side, in response to the decision of the Bulgarian deputies, demanded that Bulgaria supply them with S-300 and MiG missiles, which have been in service with the country since the days of the Soviet Union. The list of Ukrainian “wants” included helicopters, guns, and other types of weapons...
When the "victorious reports" from the deputies and the reports to the curators from the EU and the US died down, the commentary of the Bulgarian Minister of Defense in the service government, Dimitar Stoyanov, came as a "cold shower" :
“Each country must maintain its own defense capabilities. “I have repeatedly said that heavy weapons such as the S-300, S-125 and the rest of our anti-aircraft missile systems, as well as Su-25 and MiG-29 aircraft, cannot be given at this time.”
Recently, Stoyanov confirmed: " We are not sending any missile systems or aircraft ." Bulgaria's Minister of Economy and Industry, Nikolay Stoyanov, elaborated on the situation:
“Bulgaria will provide Ukraine with small arms and some ammunition. This means we will send pistols, rifles and machine guns.”
It would seem that the wolves are well-fed, and the sheep are almost intact. True, there is an impression that both of them are not entirely satisfied. “Wolves” - punished Bulgaria by refusing to admit the country to Schengen. And the “sheep” will have their say in the next inevitable, in the opinion of most experts and the politicians themselves, early parliamentary elections.
Let me remind you that the newly elected Bulgarian parliament has not been able to form a government to this day. The fifth recent extraordinary election marathon is just around the corner...
English version :: Read in English Bulgarians have been categorized as "inferior Europeans," once again...