Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania are 'ready' to join Schengen, says European Commission
Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania are "ready" to join the passport-free Schengen Area after having "strongly proven" they meet all the necessary criteria, the European Commission has said.
Schengen enables cross-border travel without the need to carry a passport or pass through border controls. It currently encompasses 26 nations, including 22 EU countries, and almost 420 million citizens.
"It's high time to say welcome," Ylva Johansson, the EU's home affairs commissioner, said on Wednesday while unveiling a new report that argues in favour of the three countries' readiness.
"The wait has been long, I should say, too long. Expectations are high, rightly so, from authorities but not at least citizens."
Schengen has boosted the EU's economy and lifted standards of living since it was established back in 1995, Johansson said, calling on member states to take a "decision in all our interest" and approve the pending candidacies without any further delay.
"Schengen is Europe. These three member states deserve to feel fully European," she said.
The European Commission's unconditional endorsement comes in the lead-up to a high-stakes meeting of interior ministers in December, where the issue of Schengen accession will come back to the table.
A unanimous vote is needed to admit new members.
Joining Schengen requires, among other things, the application of common rules, proper management of external borders, sharing of security information and efficient police cooperation.
The three countries "have the tools, structures, and procedures in place," Johansson said, praising their strong record and legal commitments.
So far, this has not been enough for Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania, who have been waiting for years to join the passport-free area
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