Romania and Bulgaria blocked from joining Schengen zone

[acme4242]

21 December 2010

France and Germany have decided to block Bulgaria and Romania from joining Europe's passport-free travel zone.

The French and German interior ministers said it was "premature" to let them join Schengen in March 2011.

They said Bulgaria and Romania needed to make "irreversible progress" in the fight against corruption and organised crime.

Romania condemned the decision, while Bulgaria promised to "do its utmost" to remove doubts about its membership.

French Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux and his German counterpart, Thomas de Maiziere, raised their objections in a letter to EU Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem, AFP news agency reported.

Experts from EU states who visited Romania and Bulgaria are due to present a report in January that will be used by governments to make a decision on Romanian and Bulgarian membership of the zone, but it must be agreed by the Schengen members in unanimity.
"Grave consequences"

A spokesman for Germany's interior ministry said there had also been a lack of progress by Romania and Bulgaria in reforming their judiciary, Associated Press news agency reported.

The spokesman said those deficits could have "grave consequences for the European Union's security" and raised concerns about an "overly swift" adhesion to the Schengen area.

Romanian President Traian Basescu said: "I believe that the Franco-German letter sent to the European Commission is an act of discrimination against Romania."

Bulgarian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Vessela Cherneva told AFP: "We are aware that the political situation in some EU member countries is complicated. For that reason, we will do our utmost to remove any doubts, including in the areas of the judicial system and society as a whole."

The Schengen zone is made up of 25 European countries - the 27 EU members, minus the UK, the Irish Republic, Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus; plus three non-EU nations - Norway, Iceland and Switzerland.

[AxeZ]

Good, they shouldn't have been allowed to join EU in the first place. Not for the 20 years at least.

[xjessie007]

I think it is something that could have been expected. Europe is in crisis, opening the borders could make it worse. I am sure these two countries will be let in when the times improve.

[mcovet]

Hang on, does this mean all those exercising treaty rights abroad have to return and apply for visas? What about joining the eu and free movement? Is that withdrawn???

[wunder]

Hang on, does this mean all those exercising treaty rights abroad have to return and apply for visas? What about joining the eu and free movement? Is that withdrawn???

You are confusing completely different issues. This is about Schengen zone - the common passport / visa / border control area (in essense it means that borders and border checks between Romania and Bulgaria and rest of the EU will remain). Nothing changed for the citizens of Romania and Bulgaria regarding treaty rights or free movement - they can still travel and live abroad as before (and still have limitations for work).

[mcovet]

Aaaa, ok. So it's going to be the same between Bulgaria amd the adjoining eu countries as if they were emtering the uk, simply the border checks will remain to prevent illegals entering through, supposedly cause it'd be easier. Thx for the clarification

Hang on, does this mean all those exercising treaty rights abroad have to return and apply for visas? What about joining the eu and free movement? Is that withdrawn???

You are confusing completely different issues. This is about Schengen zone - the common passport / visa / border control area (in essense it means that borders and border checks between Romania and Bulgaria and rest of the EU will remain). Nothing changed for the citizens of Romania and Bulgaria regarding treaty rights or free movement - they can still travel and live abroad as before (and still have limitations for work).