Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borisov has expressed his hope that The Netherlands will put all Bulgarian efforts into consideration when it comes to the decision on its Schengen entry.

"I truly hope the Dutch authorities to be open and honest and to appreciate Bulgaria and Romania's efforts to join Schengen, because all other EU member states already did that yesterday in the European Parliament," Borisov commented Thursday. He spoke in the Danube town of Ruse, where he the construction of a new sports hall.

Tackling a statement he made earlier Thursday, when he surprisingly announced that his ruling, center-right GERB, party does not need the presidential office, Borisov corrected himself, explaining it was him who is not interested in the presidential chair – and not the party as a whole.

The Netherlands will come up with a stance on Bulgaria and Romania's Schengen bids in 2012, following a test period for the two countries, Immigration Minister Gerd Leers announced earlier on Thursday.

That doomed the move of the European Union, which needs unanimity.

European Union interior ministers met in Luxembourg just a day after the non-binding vote of the European Parliament, which allowed Bulgarians and Romanians to travel across Europe without a passport.

EU interior ministers have acknowledged that Bulgaria and Romania's border controls have risen up to meet Schengen standards, but the decision for a date for their entry into the system was delayed due to concerns over their ability to control their borders with non-EU neighbors.

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