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Finnish Parliament Speaker Eero Hein?luoma has said his country should stop opposing the entry of Bulgaria and Romania in Schengen. Photo by EPA/BGNES
Bulgaria and Romania are ready to join the Schengen free movement area, stated Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Eero Hein?luoma, opposing the position of Finland's government.
In September, Finland along with the Netherlands vetoed setting a date for the entry of the two countries in Schengen, citing fears over the management of corruption and organized crime.
Bulgaria and Romania were expected to join in the spring of 2011, but France and Germany first raised the corruption- and crime-related worries that are unrelated to the requirements set out in the Schengen Agreement.
The coalition government of Finland, especially the Ministry of Interior headed by sole Christian Democrat Minister P?ivi R?s?nen, has vocally opposed the membership of Bulgaria and Romania, saying that the two countries internal problems pose security worries for safeguarding Europe's borders.
But Sunday Social Democrat Parliament Speaker Eero Hein?luoma stated in the Ykk?saamu talk show on national TV channel YLE that this position is not sound.
"The hardline position against Romania and Bulgaria is not well founded and is not in Finland's interest," said Hein?luoma.
He explained that since the two countries have fulfilled all criteria for joining Schengen, they should be let in.
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