French Senators Deem Bulgaria Unfit for Schengen

According to French senators, Sofia and Bucharest are technologically prepared to join Schengen, but still cannot deal successfully with the flow of illegal emigrants. File photo

The technical readiness of Bulgaria and Romania for joining the Schengen Area does not mean the two newcomers will be able to deal with the influx of illegal emigrants from Asia and Africa.

The conclusion is listed, along with several others, in a report of French senators from the EU Affairs Committee.

The senators have visited Bulgaria in May 2012 and have observed different processes, including the border control in connection with the future joining of Schengen, writes the Bulgarian Dnevnik on Monday.

According to them, Sofia and Bucharest are technologically prepared, and have been successful in integrating the Schengen Information System. They have also made commitments to deal with illegal immigration.

Despite the above, the senators conclude that these measures would not provide full security of the EU borders. They note that the cross border checkpoints on the Bulgarian-Turkish border are leveled with the EU requirements, but those on the Greek-Turkish border are very lax, thus Bulgaria's Schengen entry would ease the influx of illegal emigrants from Turkey to Greece and then through Bulgaria and Romania to Central and Western Europe.

The senators voice the opinion that both Greek and Bulgarian authorities lack motivation to up security because they are aware that the flow of illegal emigrants will pass transit through their countries.

The challenges for Romania are linked to the relations with Moldova and the Ukraine since their citizens' access is much alleviated.

In conclusion, the Chairman of the Committee, Simon Sutour, says he is not certain in the positive outcome of the yet another one discussion on enlarging the Schengen Area scheduled for the fall.

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