Dutch to Decide on Bulgaria's Schengen Fate after EC Report

Bulgaria was expected to enter Schengen in the spring of 2011, but the entry was blocked by several countries which had worries about problems with organized crime and corruption. File photo

The Netherlands will wait for the report of the European Commission on Bulgaria under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism before deciding if it would support the country's joining of the Schengen area.

The news emerged during talks in Chicago between Bulgaria's President, Rosen Plevneliev, and Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte.

Plevneliev is on his first official visit to the US as Head of State and is taking part in the NATO summit held in Chicago on May 21 and 22.

He stressed that the situation around Bulgaria's Schengen membership is complex, but the country's huge effort and the achieved results must be taken into account. According to Plevneliev, all institutions in Bulgaria are firmly set on the path of reforms, especially in the justice and internal affairs sectors. He cited the Law for Confiscation of Illegally Acquired Assets as a huge step forward in this direction.

"It is very important to show voters that we can hand you the key of Europe's entrance, and for this reason we will wait for the assessment of the EC," Rutte said on his part, all while voicing hope that the report will note Bulgaria's progress.

At the beginning of March, the Dutch Prime Minister reiterated that his government is not against the two countries joining the free zone, but wants absolute guarantees they will be applying the Schengen criteria.

The two EU newcomers were expected to enter Schengen in the spring of 2011, but their entry was blocked by countries such as France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland, which had worries that problems with organized crime and corruption might jeopardize safety in the Schengen Area.

Both Bulgaria and Romania have been placed under the so-called EU Cooperation and Verification Mechanism in justice and home affairs, in view of perceived problems in the management of corruption and organized crime.

In February, the interim Cooperation and Verification mechanism report registered Romania's progress in combating organized crime and corruption, but demanded stronger action from Bulgaria.

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