Brussels backs trio for Schengen Area expansion

(Video by Han Jing)

The European Commission called on the 27 European Union member states to admit Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria into the border-free Schengen Area, saying their wait has been too long.

European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson told a news conference on Wednesday that she presented a communication on a stronger Schengen with the full participation of the three countries.

"It's high time to say welcome!" she said. "These three member states deserve to feel fully European."

Johansson said the three countries have strongly proven that they have met all the conditions required to be a Schengen member, which include effective management of external borders, uniform Schengen visas, cooperation with law enforcement in other countries, and connection to information systems.

The European Parliament voted last month on a resolution with 534 votes in favor of Croatia's admission. MEPs also called for Romania and Bulgaria to be admitted, describing the continued delay as "discriminatory".

The Schengen Area has 26 members, including 22 EU member states. Ireland has opted not to join Schengen to align with the United Kingdom's border policy, while Cyprus remains separated.

EU ministers voted on the Schengen status of Romania and Bulgaria in 2011, but did not achieve unanimous approval. Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Germany and France were then among the members blocking the admission.

Germany, France and Finland have since changed their views, while the Dutch parliament adopted a resolution last month calling on Prime Minister Mark Rutte to block approval due to concerns about organized crime and corruption.

Dutch lawmakers said accession for Romania and Bulgaria would pose "a risk to the security of the Netherlands and the entire Schengen Area".

Sweden's new right-wing government is also struggling to secure enough support for Romania and Bulgaria's accession, local media reported.

Croatia completed its evaluation process in 2020 and received a positive assessment in December last year.

Romania and Bulgaria invited a fact-finding mission from the European Commission and member states to verify the situation on the ground last month. Johansson said the findings by the team of 17 experts were "positive" and reaffirmed their readiness to join the Schengen Area.