Decision On Romania, Bulgaria’s Schengen Entry Postponed- Sources

A decision on Romania and Bulgaria’s accession to the border-free Schengen Area has been postponed Thursday, as the matter was not put to the vote at the meeting of the Justice and Home Affair Council (JHA) held in Brussels, European sources told MEDIAFAX.

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Romania, Bulgaria’s Schengen Entry Postponed- Sources

According to the sources, the Polish Presidency of the European Union did not put the matter to the vote to avoid a negative decision, which would have entailed resuming a part of the Schengen accession legal procedures.

The Polish EU Presidency also held separate talks with the Netherlands and Finland and will soon make an official statement regarding Schengen entry discussions.

Polish Interior Minister Jerzy Miller said two states made it impossible for the council to take a decision on Romania and Bulgaria's Schengen entry.

When they joined the EU, Romania and Bulgaria were told they would be allowed to enter Schengen if they met all requirements, said the minister, adding the promise has been broken.

People close to talks told MEDIAFAX Thursday morning the Polish Presidency of the EU would postpone a vote on Romania and Bulgaria's accession to the border-free area, as member states failed to reach an agreement on the matter.

The sources said that, if the Schengen accession is not put to the vote on Thursday, debates will be resumed mid-October.

The JHA Council discussed on Thursday a compromise solution regarding the two countries' Schengen entry, namely a two-stage accession: one to take place this year by opening sea and air borders, and the second stage in 2012, when land borders should be opened.

According to AFP, the Netherlands on Thursday confirmed its opposition to the accession of Romania and Bulgaria.

"Our position is clear. We are not in favor of an accession at this moment," Dutch Immigration Minister Gerd Leers said before a meeting with his 26 counterparts from the other Schengen Area member states, in Brussels.

The other members must be confident that the Schengen acquis has been fully implemented by Romania and Bulgaria, especially as regards the fight against corruption and organized crime, he insisted.

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