Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania 'technically ready' to join Schengen: EU official

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ISTANBUL (AA) - Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania are “technically ready” to join the Schengen area, a senior European Commission official said on Thursday.

“They did what we asked them to do ... They ticked all the boxes and they are ready,” Margaritis Schinas, a commission vice-president, said ahead of an EU meeting on the three countries’ bid to join the passport-free Schengen area.

He said the “few hesitations that remain are political.”

“They undermine two very simple facts: We are stronger, not weaker, through Schengen enlargement, and secondly, that enlarging Schengen means more and better controls, not less,” said Schinas.

“So I hope that common sense and open minds will prevail and we can have the decision if not today, then in a few days.”

Schinas said he remains certain that Croatia will get the nod.

“I am confident that Croatia will get a green light and I hope that this would also be the case for Bulgaria and Romania,” he added.

With unanimous support a must, Romania and Bulgaria face an uphill task ahead due to opposition from Austria and the Netherlands.

Voting for Croatia will be held separately, while Bulgaria and Romania have been clubbed together.