Prospects dim for Schengen accession of Romania and Bulgaria ahead of key vote in Brussels
The prospect of Romania and Bulgaria joining the passport-free Schengen area appears to be dimming ahead of a key vote in Brussels, where their fate rests on a unanimous endorsement.
At least two member states – Austria and the Netherlands – have expressed their opposition to Bulgaria's accession and, in the Austrian case, also to Romania's.
Both candidates have been waiting to join Schengen since 2011 when the European Commission first said they were ready to become members, a view shared by the European Parliament.
Croatia, however, seems to be better positioned to become part of Schengen, as no country has voiced a negative opinion about its readiness.
Schengen enables cross-border travel without the need to carry a passport or pass through border controls. It currently encompasses 26 countries, including 22 EU states, and almost 420 million citizens.
EU interior ministers will debate and vote on the three bids this Thursday, during a high-stakes meeting chaired by the Czech Republic, the current holder of the EU Council's presidency.
"Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia have been thoroughly investigated and the outcome is that they fulfil all the requirements to be part of Schengen," Ylva Johansson, European Commissioner for home affairs, said on Monday morning, when asked about the upcoming vote.
Johansson's comments echoed an assessment issued last month by the executive, which found the three candidates have "strongly" proven they meet all the necessary requirements, including the management of external borders and efficient police cooperation.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and his interior minister, Gerhard Karner, have recently questioned Schengen's ability to cope with a new influx of asylum seekers.
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