Bulgerije en Roemenië zetten stap in richting opheffen grenscontroles met Schengenlanden (en)

Bulgaria and Romania are a step closer to having their border checks with the Schengen area lifted, following a vote on Wednesday at the European Parliament. Latest assessments show that both countries comply with data security requirements for connecting to the "Schengen Information System", the database used by border control agents to exchange information in the fight against crime and illegal immigration.

Parliament approved the next step towards both countries' accession to the SIS when MEPs adopted a report by Carlos Coelho (EPP, PT) by 525 votes to 18, with 54 abstentions, approving the Council decision which is a first move towards the lifting of border controls.    A working group asked to verify whether Bulgaria's and Romania's branches of the SIS system ensure satisfactory levels of data protection has reached an overall positive conclusion, thus paving the way for further tests before the end of the year.

Further information :

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  Adopted text will be available here (click on 17 June)
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  Report on the draft Council decision on the application of the provisions of the Schengen acquis relating to the Schengen Information System in the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania
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  Profile of rapporteur Carlos COELHO (EPP, PT)