Extending the Schengen Agreement to Bulgaria and Romania is essential for European integration, the European Greens say after the European Union Council for Justice and Foreign Affairs (JHA) decided to admit Croatia to Schengen, but rejected the requests of Romania and Bulgaria.

The European Green Party issued a press release in which it conveyed its point of view regarding the decision of the JHA Council.

„Austria and the Netherlands are leaving the EU fact-based consensus on Schengen enlargement. Both countries try to blame the failure of the EU’s migration policy on Bulgaria and Romania. The conflation of asylum figures and the Schengen Agreement is irresponsible. Today’s veto is harmful to good neighbourly relations and is compromising EU unity in crucial times. Extending the Schengen Agreement to Bulgaria and Romania is essential for European integration.

We call on the Council to reopen the discussion about the accession of Romania, Bulgaria as soon as possible and on Austria and Netherland to review their position.

The EU must develop solidarity-based migration policies. Solidarity towards EU member states welcoming migrants and refugees, and solidarity with migrants and refugees fleeing wars, disasters and persecution and human rights abuse of autocratic regimes”, sayd Thomas Waitz and Mélanie Vogel, co-chairs of the European Green Party.