Breaking News: EU presidency: Bulgaria, Romania not joining Schengen area in March
24/02/2011
BUDAPEST, Hungary -- Bulgaria and Romania will not join the Schengen area next month, according to a statement by the Hungarian EU presidency on Thursday (February 24th). It was issued after the bloc's interior ministers endorsed reports on the two Balkan countries' readiness for accession. Romania has met all seven entry requirements, while Bulgaria has met six, the reports showed. Because they have been coupled together since their EU entry in 2007, neither can be admitted into the 25-nation visa-free zone until both have fulfilled the conditions.
Noting that Romania and Bulgaria's accession remains a priority for Budapest, the Hungarian Presidency said it would continue working "in close co-operation with all member states, towards a solution acceptable to all parties concerned". France and Germany recently challenged their admission, citing concerns over potential corruption at the EU's external borders. Paris and Berlin are now reportedly working on a new set of criteria for the two countries' accession, linking it to the fight against corruption. According to RFI Romania, The Netherlands is also envisioning a roadmap for the two Balkan countries. New talks on their accession are expected in June. (Hungarian EU Presidency, Dnevnik.bg, DPA, Sofia News Agency, RFI Romania, Agerpress - 24/02/11)
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