Claude Moraes (S&D). - Mr President, coming from a Member State which is not in Schengen, and having a perspective which values the free movement within the Schengen area, if we cast our minds back to the opportunism which caused this situation, we can really appreciate the progress which has been made by the two rapporteurs, Ms Weber and Mr Coelho.

We understand the objections in respect of Parliament’s role, the lack of codecision and the difficulties, but we have to make an assessment about what the rapporteurs have achieved and the jump that we have made from those opportunistic situations to where we are now. I could make an assessment as a citizen who does not enjoy that free movement from Schengen, from the United Kingdom: this is something that created progress, democratic accountability and transparency. It is not a perfect situation but it is real progress and that is why my Group values the agreement.