As Bulgaria and Romania seek full accession to the Schengen free movement area, and Croatia begins the process, EURACTIV sat down with MEP Paulo Rangel (EPP) to discuss the countries’ respective journeys.
Rangel, the rapporteur of Croatia’s accession file, emphasised that all three countries have met the criteria to proceed.
On Tuesday (18 October), the European Parliament adopted a resolution supporting the full accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen zone. The Council is expected to vote on the matter in December and negotiations are set to begin next year.
The last Council vote regarding Bulgaria and Romania’s full accession, in which the Dutch and Finnish governments vetoed the move, was 11 years ago. Since then, Bulgaria and Romania have had a hybrid situation regarding border control.
Before a Council vote on Croatia’s accession, the European Parliament still needs to agree on an opinion, Rangel told EURACTIV.
Ministers to vote in December on Romania and Bulgaria's accession to Schengen area
EU governments will vote in December on whether to grant Romania and Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area after more than ten years of delay.
[Edited by Nathalie Weatherald]
Source: euractiv.com
