Send to Kindle
Image of the Schengen Area (dark blue for EU members and purple for non-EU members) by Wikipedia.
A combination ot technical setbacks and an unfavorable political climate might delay the entry of Romania in the Schengen Zone, according to Ciprian Ciucu from Romanian think-thank Center for European Policy.
He commented on a recently released report from the Center that pinpoints setbacks Romania is facing on its way to Schengen, which it plans to enter together with Bulgaria in March 2011.
Speaking for the Bulgarian National Radio, Ciucu said that Romanian authorities are lagging behind in to technical requirements - the full implementation of the Schengen Information System across the country and the finishing of at least two new airport terminals.
The researcher further stated that he sees the political situation as not particularly favorable for Romania, adding that the country cannot hope that any potential failures to fulfill technical requirements will be overlooked.
He commented on remarks made by German Chancellor Angela Merkel on her trip to Bulgaria and Romania over the week, saying that statements about possible "corruption" at Schengen's borders have nothing to do with the technical requirement, but are indicative of the mistrustful political attitudes to the two countries.
Ciucu further commented that France might want to delay Romania's accession to Schengen, tough not by voicing the issue of Roma integration, which is irrelevant to requirements for Schengen entry.
He thus concluded that the Romanian authorities should press to fulfill al technical requirements in time, but had some doubts about the prospects for success in view of the political and economic crisis grappling the country.
He reminded that there is an inspection mission coming to Romania in December and if the results prove unsatisfactory, then Schengen accession might be delayed until October 2011.
Romania and Bulgaria started their Schengen entry process at the same time and have vowed to work together. There are no formal requirements for the two countries to enter at the same time and some have asked for Bulgaria to join earlier if it has fulfilled requirements earlier.
Nevertheless, this seems to be not feasible technically, for Schengen's external border will be guarded more efficently by both contries, especially given that the two countries share a 600-km border that will become an external one should only one of them join Schengen.
We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!
Eurostat data indicates that Greece (161.9%), Italy (137.3%), France (110.6%), Spain (107.7%), and Belgium reported the highest public debt-to-GDP ratios among EU member states by the conclusion of 2023
The debate surrounding the inclusion of Bulgarians in North Macedonia's constitution, a crucial precondition for the country's European Union accession talks, has taken center stage in the ongoing presidential campaign
Amid escalating tensions on its borders and a significant increase in the Ministry of National Defense budget, Romania is discreetly preparing for the reintroduction of compulsory military service
In a strategic move aimed at bolstering their defense capabilities, Romania and South Korea have embarked on negotiations for joint arms production, signaling a significant milestone in their bilateral relations
Bulgaria stands to lose approximately BGN 1 billion each year due to its continued exclusion from full membership in the Schengen area
Opposition parties critical of President Maia Sandu's pro-European stance have joined forces in Moscow, forming a pre-election bloc with ambitions to contest upcoming presidential elections and a pivotal referendum on EU membership
Bulgaria's Minister of Defense Todor Tagarev admitted the possibility that an explosive device might have been planted on board the crashed plane in which Yevgeny Prigozhin was traveling
The European Commission has announced that it is preparing criminal proceedings against Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Malta, and Portugal for incorrect application of the rules on the exchange of data on criminal records and the establishment of the relevant
The European Commission has started an evaluation of the Plan for Reconstruction and Development of Bulgaria, said the spokesman of the European Commission Eric Mamer. The document was submitted to the Commission on 15 October.
58% of Bulgarians do not support the introduction of the euro as the official currency in the country. This shows a study prepared by Trend agency specifically for the financial forum NEXT DIFI 2021, organized by b2b Media for the fifth year. The data dur
Too late Bulgaria began to explain its own position towards North Macedonia, as it should have been clear to our European partners some time ago.
An SPD-led government in Germany has significant potential to sharpen international attention to the problems of corruption in Bulgaria.
UN Happiness Report: Bulgaria's Astonishing Leap in Rankings
Bulgaria: 3 Regions With Lowest Life Expectancy - EU Report 2022
