Poland Eager for Phased-in Bulgarian Schengen Entry

Polish Minister of the Interior and Administration Jerzy Miller. Photo by EPA/BGNES

An agreement upon Bulgaria and Romania's two-phase accession to the Schengen zone may be reached in September, according to Polish interior minister Jerzy Miller.

"We hope that during our EU presidency, possibly in September, we will be able to secure a decision about how and when these countries will join the Schengen area," Miller said Thursday after attending a meeting with his EU counterparts, as cited by EUobserver.

Miller clarified that a compromise is considered on the two EU gradual Schengen Agreement accession, with air borders included first, while sea and land borders would be opened at a second stage.

A possible phased-in option was also hinted by French Interior Minister Claude Gueant. Hungary, which currently holds the EU presidency, stated earlier in 2011 that Bulgaria and Romania may initially enter Schengen only "by air."

As far as the Dutch attitude towards the two Balkan states is concerned, Miller said that it had "a different background" and that "up until recently, others were reluctant too but have meanwhile changed their mind." "

"We hope the Netherlands will change its mind as well," he declared.

On Thursday, the European Union decided to keep Bulgaria and Romania out of its border-free zone, even though they have met all technical requirements.

The move came after the Dutch Immigration Minister Gerd Leers said The Netherlands would come up with a stance on Bulgaria and Romania's Schengen bids in 2012, following a test period for the two countries.

A new country can join the visa-free network only with a unanimous agreement from all 26 Schengen members.

Analysts say the reluctance of France, The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Austria to let the Balkan country join the Agreement in 2011 is both because of domestic politics and because they really believe the entry into Schengen will be premature, just as the EU entry.

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