Croatians can travel between most European countries without a passport or other requirements from January. Their country is welcome in the so-called Schengen zone, the EU countries have decided. Romania and Bulgaria have to wait even longer, partly due to resistance from the Netherlands.
All EU countries have agreed to Croatia’s accession, reports the Czech Republic, which presides over the European Union this six months. The Balkan country will join the 26 European countries that are already part of the Schengen area on 1 January.
Austria blocks two countries
After years of waiting, Romania and Bulgaria also hoped to finally be allowed to join the Schengen zone. They have the support of the European Commission, which checks whether a country meets the requirements and, for example, whether its border controls are in order, and of almost all EU member states. But the Netherlands believes that Bulgaria is not yet ready for this and Austria even blocked both countries.
The consultation of State Secretary Eric van der Burg (Asylum and Migration) and his colleagues from the other EU countries about the three candidate members lasted many hours today, much longer than planned. However, the other Member States were unable to persuade the Netherlands and Austria to change their minds. Their stubborn resistance caused ‘a certain bitterness in the room’, according to an EU source.
The division over the applicants for Schengen ‘makes us very weak’, said responsible European Commissioner Ylva Johansson afterwards. “That makes me sad too.” She addressed the Romanians and Bulgarians directly and assured them that ‘you deserve to be part of Schengen’. But their time will come, she believes. Before the next European elections in less than a year and a half, she thinks.
Disappointment
“Today is a day of disappointment for Romania and Bulgaria,” tweeted fellow European Commissioner Margaritis Schinas. “But our efforts don’t end here.” Schinas referred to next week’s EU summit and suggested that EU leaders should raise the issue there. “A way forward must be found.”
The Czech minister who chaired the meeting expressed his regret about the outcome. He counts on Sweden, the successor to the Czech Republic in more than three weeks, to be equally committed to Romania and Bulgaria. But EU diplomats see little room for a quick break in the stalemate.
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