European Parliament OKs Romania’s, Bulgaria’s Accession To Schengen Information System

The European Parliament said in a press release that the report drawn up by MEP Carlos Coelho, which approves the decision of the Council, was adopted in a plenary meeting in Strasbourg with 525 to 18 votes and 54 abstentions.

A workgroup made up of experts carried out tests to see if Romania and Bulgaria could join the system, and concluded their accession to SIS is possible. According to the source, new tests should be carried out by the end of the year.

The European Parliament Civil Liberties Committee approved last week the European Council’s decision whereby Romania and Bulgaria can join SIS. After the committee’s approval, the European Parliament had to be consulted on both countries’ accession to the System.