The EU Commission has recommended extending the control-free Schengen area to Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia. It is high time to welcome the countries, EU Commissioner of the Interior Ylva Johansson said on Wednesday. The EU countries vote on December 8.
Although Croatia is on the verge of joining Schengen, there is still skepticism about Romania and Bulgaria. For example, the Dutch House of Representatives recently expressed serious doubts. The judiciary and the rule of law have been criticized in both Bulgaria and Romania since they joined the EU in 2007. The EU Commission monitors both for corruption.
In the case of Croatia, the EU countries had already decided in December 2021 that the popular holiday destination on the Adriatic Sea met the requirements for joining the Schengen area. Croatia will become a member on 1 January 2023. However, there will be a vote here again. The result has an impact on air traffic, for example.
Slovenia behaves contradictory
To enter the control-free Schengen area, the consent of all existing members is required. These are currently all other EU countries, with the exception of Ireland and Cyprus. In addition, four non-EU countries are members, namely Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. As a rule, there are no internal controls at the borders in the Schengen area. However, after the refugee crisis in 2015, this principle was suspended by many countries, including Austria. Slovenia has been complaining for years that Austria is expanding border controls. At the same time, the country itself is considering internal controls at the border with Croatia.
On 8 December it will become clear whether Romania and Bulgaria can join the Schengen area. The vote will take place in Brussels that day. “It is high time to welcome them,” EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said on Wednesday. So clear advice has been given.
Source: Krone
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