Europe

Europe

Bulgaria may reconsider support for Schengen reform: FM

17 September 2011 20:55 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Bulgaria could block future changes to the Schengen legislation if the country is not allowed to join the border-free area, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Nickolay Mladenov said here on Saturday, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

"If the interior ministers of the European Union (EU) at their upcoming meeting on Thursday take a reasonable decision that meets the interests of all in Europe and primarily the interests of the Bulgarian citizens, we will support the reform of the Schengen acquis," Mladenov told a special press conference.

The comment came after Dutch government reiterated its intention on blocking Bulgaria and Romania from joining the Schengen zone Friday night, as the Schengen membership of the two countries is to be discussed at the External Affairs EU Council next Thursday.

Mladenov further warned that Bulgaria would consider to withdraw its support for the ongoing Schengen reform.

"However, if on Thursday such a decision is not taken, we will have to consider very carefully our policy from now on in terms of the support we give to the reform of the European legislation on Schengen," Mladenov said.

"If Bulgaria is not a part of the Schengen area in the coming months, a year, we need to look carefully how to vote on various elements of this reform package because it will impact on our country and the prospects for our future," Mladenov added.

He refuted the stance of Dutch government, saying that "yesterday’s decision apparently has to do with the domestic political differences in the ruling coalition in the Netherlands."

The top diplomat also stressed that the decision ignored the fact that Romania and Bulgaria have fulfilled all criteria for Schenhen membership.

Bulgaria and Romania had applied to join Schengen this March but some Schengen members expressed reluctance, citing concerns over corruption and security situation in the two states.