In his annual speech on the state of the EU before the EP in Strasbourg President of the EC Jean-Claude Juncker declared that it was about time for Bulgaria and Romania to enter Schengen. He also called on all EU member-states to show greater responsibility in guarding the community’s external borders. Bulgaria, Italy and Spain shouldn’t be left alone in their border security efforts, Mr. Juncker said. He also defended the stance on the introduction of the common European currency across all member-states, including the poorer Eastern European ones. He appealed for a clear perspective on the EU accession of the Western Balkans, but underlined that this approach was out of question for Turkey in the visible future.