Croatia can join the passport-free Schengen zone if the European Commission has its way. The Balkan country of 4.5 million inhabitants now meets all the conditions to become a member of the club of countries allowing free travel. However, according to the European Commission, Bulgaria has not yet put its affairs in order and remains under special surveillance. It is up to the EU countries to decide on Schengen access, requiring unanimity.
Of the 28 EU countries, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, and the United Kingdom are (still) not members of the Schengen zone. The non-EU countries Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein are members.
Now that Croatia, which joined the EU six years ago, has its external border management in order, it can become a member of the Schengen zone according to the commission. The Schengen Agreement stipulates that people in principle are no longer checked at borders. The agreement was signed in 1985 in the Luxembourg town of Schengen by Germany, France, and the three Benelux countries.
Romania has done nothing in the past year regarding judicial reforms and the fight against corruption. The country therefore remains under special surveillance. The Netherlands is one of the EU countries that has long opposed Romania’s admission to the passport-free area. The Netherlands openly complains about corruption and cronyism in the Romanian government apparatus.
Last year Vice President Frans Timmermans criticized Romania, calling the situation “deplorable.” Now, the day-to-day EU administration calls it “regrettable” that Bucharest has done nothing with the recommendations, although the government promised improvements in June.
To escape the special surveillance, Bucharest will have to suspend a series of (criminal) laws and reverse appointments at the Public Prosecution Service and the anti-corruption agency.
Bulgaria, by contrast, has followed the recommendations and taken steps for judicial reform and tackling organized crime. This gives Bulgaria a chance to be released from the surveillance program. Before the commission decides whether Bulgaria can leave the program, the member states and the European Parliament will be consulted.