EP to Vote on Bulgaria, Romania Schengen Readiness

A plenary vote on Bulgaria and Romania's Schengen preparedness is scheduled at the European Parliament Wednesday.

On Tuesday, a report on the two EU newcomers' progress by Portugese EPP MEP Carlos Coelho.

In his speech, the rapporteur praised the two countries for fulfilling all criteria for Schengen accession and called for an imminent entry, which according to him would guarantee the security of all residents of the bloc's border-free area.

The Tuesday debate at the EP was heated, with most MEPs speaking out in favor of Bulgaria and Romania's Schengen Agreement bid and arguing for level-headedness and no double criteria in introducing additional political requirements - something that member states such as France and Germany have already done.

Opposition to the newcomers' entry was voiced from MEPs in the nationalist and eurosceptic Europe of Freedom and Democracy group, arguing it would increase transborder crime.

Other MEPs dismissed that as extremist rhetoric and called for a swift acceptance of Bulgaria and Romania.

Speaking before the Parliament, the Hungarian EU Presidency representative Eniko Gyori said the process of Bulgaria and Romania's Schengen entry bid will likely continue in September, said in the European Parliament and stated that no further political criteria ought to be introduced for the two countries.

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