MEPs have given their overwhelming support to a resolution urging member states to solve the current stalemate and allow Bulgaria and Romania to join Schengen, the EU’s borderless area, as soon as possible.
Bulgaria and Romania should be able to count on solidarity and fairness from their EU partners
EU justice ministers last month left the two member states out in the cold as the Netherlands and Finland blocked their entry, citing corruption and organised crime as the main reasons. This stand was taken even though the two countries are deemed by the European Commission as having successfully implemented all the necessary actions to join the passport-free area.
The Dutch and Finnish governments rely on the support of populist parties as part of their coalition governments and many fear this is the main reason for their continued opposition.
In its resolution last week, the EP called on member states to avoid national populism and allow Bulgaria and Romania to join Schengen solely on the basis of existing membership criteria.
The EP’s resolution is intended to exert more pressure on member states on the eve of a summit for EU leaders on Sunday in Brussels in which the issue is expected to be on the agenda again.
According to EP President Jerzy Buzek, both countries deserve to be in the Schengen area as they met all required criteria.
“Their borders are secure. I urge all member states to take the decision on enlarging the Schengen area to Bulgaria and Romania solely on the basis of the Schengen acquis and procedures. Bulgaria and Romania should be able to count on solidarity and fairness from their EU partners,” Mr Buzek said.
Addressing MEPs before last week’s vote, Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil, the EPP’s coordinator on Justice and Home Affairs, said member states should resist populism.
“Both Finland and the Netherlands have a strong European tradition and respect of fairness and the rule of law,” he said.
“As it happens the governments of both these countries rely on the support of populist parties. I would not like to think that the reason for this blockage is that these governments are held hostage to populism because this would be very worrying,” he said.