French attack harms Bulgaria and Romania’s Schengen hopes

EUObserver reports on Bulgaria and Romania's hopes to become part of the Schengen area, following the terrorist attacks in Paris in January 2015 and subsequent debate on toughen rule enforcement.

According to the website, things might have got even more difficult for the two countries now that security became more important than enlargement. The two Balkan neighbours had failed over the years to get the required consensus among Schengen's 26 members to join the borderless club.

Bulgaria and Romania were still being monitored through the EU so-called Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM), which is meant to bring their justice and home affairs systems in line with the EU standards and to help them fight corruption. Although the commission which produces the report repeatedly cautioned against linking the mechanism to Schengen, the commission's assessment was held up as a justification for delaying entry. Click for more information on CVM in Romania and Bulgaria.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Romania tells EU: 'We are ready for Schengen when you are' http://www.europeansources.info/record/romania-tells-eu-we-are-ready-for-schengen-when-you-are/

ESO: Background information: Bulgaria admits Schengen entry is now a long-term goal http://www.europeansources.info/record/bulgaria-admits-schengen-entry-is-now-a-long-term-goal/

Balkan Insight, 11.02.15: Romanian President Nudges France Over Schengen http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/romania-in-fresh-hope-over-schengen

EurActiv, 10.03.15: Romania mixes up Germany with France, but Berlin still ready to discuss Schengen http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/romania-mixes-germany-france-berlin-still-ready-discuss-schengen

---