The EU approves the accession of Croatia to the Schengen area

The President of the EU mandate, the Minister of the Interior of the Czech Republic, Vit Rakusan, and the member of the EU Commission responsible for internal affairs, Ylva Johansson, made a statement to the press during the meeting of the interior ministers of the EU.

Rakusan announced that the ministers approved Croatia’s accession to the Schengen area.

Referring to Romania’s and Bulgaria’s rejection decision after Austria’s veto, Rakusan said: “I think Romania and Bulgaria are also ready to become Schengen members.” he used the phrase.

Johansson said he was disappointed by this and addressed the citizens of the two countries.

“You also deserve to be a Schengen member and have free movement. You had the support of many member states.” Johansson emphasized that the accession of the two countries will continue to be on the priority agenda.

Austria, Bulgaria and Romania, where asylum applications have increased significantly recently, are concerned about the increase in irregular migration of those arriving in the country.

For the extension of Schengen the unanimity of the member states is required.

The Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia joined the Schengen area in 2007.

Switzerland, which is not a member of the EU, was also included in 2008.

Citizens of more than 60 countries can travel without a visa to the Schengen region, which has 27 member states with the accession of Croatia. Visas are required from citizens of more than 100 countries. (AA)