The Vice President of the European Commission responsible for Migration, Margaritis Schinas, has considered «unfair» the «political» reservations of Austria and other EU partners that block the entry of Romania and Bulgaria in the Schengen border-free area because, he has defended, these two countries more than meet the criteria set and is confident that the veto will be lifted if not this Thursday, «in the coming days».
«Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania are technically ready to join Schengen. They did what we asked them to do and even more than what we asked them to do,» Schinas summed up in statements to the press in Brussels, on his arrival at a meeting of EU interior ministers where a decision must be taken on the entry of these three member states into the area of free movement.
The Community Executive has been defending for years the entry of Romania and Bulgaria and also recommended this year the entry of Croatia and the matter is on Thursday’s agenda for a decision of the Twenty-seven that requires unanimity.
Croatia has the support of all to enter Schengen but the case of Romania and Bulgaria clashes with the firm opposition of Austria and the reservations of the Netherlands to the entry of Bulgaria.
«The few remaining doubts are political and undermine two simple facts: That we are stronger and not weaker if we enlarge Schengen and, secondly, that enlarging Schengen means more and better controls, not less,» the EU vice-president has settled Austria’s doubts about the ability of these two EU countries to control their border.
For all these reasons, Schinas said he was confident that «common sense and an open mind will prevail» so that, if the partners do not finally overcome the division at the meeting of interior ministers this Thursday, they will achieve it «in the next few days».
«Not only to Austria but to everyone, I would say that the three countries did what they had to do and are prepared to ensure that our external border is protected,» Schinas reiterated, for whom it is «unfair» not to give them the opportunity «that they have earned and deserve.»
