Netherlands Unwavering in Keeping Bulgaria Out of Schengen

The Netherlands is going to make sure Bulgaria and Romania don't see a decision on their Schengen fate until 2012. Map from moveoneinc.com

The Netherlands is not going to change its position on Bulgaria and Romania's bid for the Schengen Area, according to the Dutch Interior Ministry.

The statement made by a Dutch Interior Ministry spokesperson cited by BNR comes on the heels of reports that Finland has softened its position on Bulgaria and Romania's Schengen accession.

The Nordic country is now in favor of the EU opening its air and sea borders with Bulgaria and Romania in March 2012, while land borders would be discussed in July.

The Dutch government had always insisted that positive and irreversible results in the fight against corruption and organized crime are a must, the spokesperson says, adding that since the European Commission's monitoring reports on Bulgaria and Romania under the verification and cooperation mechanism in the summer had not been that good, the Dutch Parliament cannot support the accession at this point.

He reiterated that the Dutch cabinet agrees the two countries have fulfilled all technical criteria, but there is a need of more and firmer steps in the fight against corruption and crime.

Bulgaria and Romania were initially planned to join the Schengen Area in the spring of 2011, but their entry was opposed by France and Germany, which also voiced objections relating not to technical criteria, but rather to corruption and organized crime.

In September, Finland and the Netherlands joined the camp of the opponents, vetoing the setting of an accession date for the two countries.

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