Brussels wants to expand the Schengen area to Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania

Soon three new countries in the Schengen area? In any case, this is what the European Commission demands, which on Wednesday, November 16, reiterated its call for EU countries to accept the full integration of Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania into the common European space. This enlargement, which has been demanded for so long, nonetheless arouses reluctance in some Member States.

“While Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania are already partially subject to the rules of the Schengen Area, internal border controls with these member states have not been lifted and therefore they are not receiving the benefits.” This participation was linked, the Commission explained on Wednesday with the support of Parliament.

So I asked of the Council of the European Union, which includes the 27 member states, Take the necessary decisions without further delay for licensing [ces trois pays] for full participation in the Schengen area.according to a press release.

Voting scheduled for December 8th

However, some EU member states are calling for anti-corruption efforts in Romania, Croatia and Bulgaria before giving the green light.

The European Union’s justice and interior ministers are due to vote on the matter at a meeting scheduled for December 8. Consensus of the 27 countries is necessary to allow the lifting of border controls with these three countries.

If this enlargement is validated, Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania will fully join this region which already includes 26 countries and It represents a population of 420 million, including 22 members of the European Union and four associated countries: Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.