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Added on the 08/12/2022 16:23:44 - Copyright : AFPTV - First images
Austria argues a new influx of asylum-seekers through the Western Balkan route is reason enough to postpone Schengen enlargement.
Romanian truck drivers waiting in line at the Giurgiu border crossing into Bulgaria express their frustration over the country’s continued non-Schengen status. The EU has approved Croatia as the newest member of the border check-free zone from next month, but Austria and the Netherlands blocked Romania and Bulgaria from joining.
Austria on Thursday said it will veto the EU's two poorest members Romania and Bulgaria joining the bloc's Schengen visa-free zone, dashing their decade-long bid. Decisions on Schengen enlargement have to be taken unanimously. The EU ministers were expected to approve Croatia joining Schengen, which would expand the area to include 23 of the EU's 27 member states, plus Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland. FRANCE 24's International Affairs Editor Armen Georgian tells us more.
The European Commission has urged member states to accept the three candidates in the passport-free area.
Romania is stepping up immigration controls along its borders to boost its bid to join Europe's Schengen visa-free zone. Stopping the flow of illegal immigrants is seen as key for allowing the two countries to join. Last month, France and Germany said that it was "premature" to let Bulgaria and Romania enter the passport-free travel area in March 2011; and it only takes one member country of the Schengen block to vote against them and scupper their plans.
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