Romania and Bulgaria deserve a positive decision on their bid to become part of the Schengen Zone this year, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, has said.
According to her, not only the two Balkan countries are waiting for a decision, but they also deserve it since 2011.
The European Parliament has done its duty, and if we need to do more to identify what else needs to be done, we will do it. Majorities exist, but there is no problem on our part. So, I believe we will succeed in finding a solution.
In an interview, the President of the EP expressed her hopes that the Spanish Presidency of the EU Council will attempt to work with the Austrians and others if there are other countries where questions are still present, believing that such questions can receive an answer.
Romania and Bulgaria’s membership to the EU’s Schengen Area was blocked by the Netherlands and Austria in December last year over illegal migrant concerns, while the latter’s authorities continue to have the same opinion when it comes to this issue.
I went to Bucharest two days after the non-decision at the JAI Council in December 2022. I couldn’t look these young people in the eyes. So, I hope, I expect, and I hope that we will have an acceptable decision. I have spoken with the President and the PM, both the former and the current, Mr Ciolacu, to find a solution.
Earlier this month, the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, said that both countries should be admitted into the passport-free zone without further delays.
She stressed that Romania and Bulgaria have been showcasing best practices on asylum and returns, noting that border protection has been stepped up.
The Prime Minister of Romania, Marcel Ciolacu, previously emphasized that Spain, as the President of the Council of the EU, supports Romania’s accession to the Schengen zone, adding that he would not accept the Austrian chancellor to be hypocritical and continue to humiliate Romania.
In addition, he said that he has the support of the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, for the accession of Romania to the Schengen Zone. His comments came during an official visit to Brussels on September 1.
However, in August, Austria’s Ministry of the Interior told SchengenVisaInfo.com that Austria’s position remains unchanged. The Ministry considered that as long as the Schengen system does not work, there is no point in expanding it.
