The EU Council last December voted to block Bulgaria and Romania’s bid to the Schengen area for free travel. Another veto this year would serve Russian interests, euobserver.com writes in an editorial.
Croatia joined the Schengen area a month after its successful entry bid, but its eastern Balkan partners were not so lucky. The Netherlands cited concerns about incomplete implementation of EU standards on the rule of law, as well as links between criminal groups and political institutions in both countries. The Netherlands and Austria vetoed Bulgaria‘s bid, while only Austria vetoed Romania‘s.
The vote was met with public anger in both countries and the Netherlands and Austria were accused of blocking their Balkan partners over domestic problems. Both countries have anti-immigrant opposition parties whose support is growing.
Bulgarians and Romanians discussed a boycott of Austrian and Dutch products on social media and some politicians suggested a boycott of Austrian banks as well as the products of the Austrian chemical concern OMV.
Since then, the governments of Bulgaria and Romania, have been working to ensure that there will not be another embarrassing veto this year.
Both countries joined the EU in 2007 and since 2011 have fulfilled all the technical requirements for Schengen membership. However, there are lingering concerns that both countries have failed to effectively deal with corruption, as well as to bring the rule of law in line with EU standards.
Since then, Romania and Bulgaria have stepped up anti-corruption measures and beefed up border security, to counter the argument that Schengen expansion could pose a risk of more illegal migration.
Bulgaria has undertaken multiple operations with its UK partners that have broken up organized human trafficking groups. It has also taken more decisive steps to ensure that EU funds are properly allocated and not stolen secretly from corrupt officials, EUObserver reported.
Romania has cracked down on widespread bribery, particularly with regard to human trafficking across its borders.
EU Observer said that if the two countries which have a combined population of around 25 million remain outside Schengen, there is a financial burden. One of the main benefits of Schengen is the reduction of waiting times between member countries and the smoother flow of trade and the passage of people.
“Leaving two of the bloc’s members out of this incredible achievement of European integration will only continue the heavy financial burden on both countries’ domestic economies,” it said.
If the EU misses another valuable opportunity to integrate its Balkan member states “it could also provoke a furious public reaction in Bulgaria and Romania.”
Both governments are facing growing support for pro-Russian Eurosceptic political parties, Bulgaria‘s “Vazrazhdane” (Revival) and “Romania‘s Alliance for Romanian Unity AUR). A Schengen veto would play into their hands.
EU Observer writes: “Both countries have long proven themselves to be reliable and stable partners in the European project, and now it is time for the EU to finally reward both for their hard work and their patience.”
“Continuing to keep Bulgaria and Romania out of Schengen will not encourage further political reforms, but will only serve to antagonize and frustrate two otherwise very pro-European member states.”
“Unscrupulous states, namely Russia, which is always looking for ways to divide EU member states, could take advantage of the open opportunity to create a rift in the bloc like this. It is up to the EU Council to ensure that Moscow never gets that opportunity,” it concludes.
