Croatia edged closer to full Schengen participation, while Bulgaria and Romania faced continued hurdles. The European Commission had proposed that three countries meet the criteria for access to the world’s largest area of free movement, which includes 22 of the 27 EU member states and partners in the Schengen zone. In short, only one interior minister gave the green light this Thursday: Croatia. The others must wait, as Austrian and Dutch objections lingered.
The decision required unanimous approval, and Croatia’s path to joining Schengen, anticipated to coincide with adopting the euro on January 1, 2023, drew solid support from delegations. While Croatia was the latest nation to aspire to full Schengen status, the Council confirmed late last year that Zagreb had met the necessary criteria. However, the process did not pass without controversy, unlike in Bulgaria and Romania. Both countries had completed the evaluation years ago, yet resistance from some states slowed their entry.
Today was welcomed warmly by Croatian citizens as a step into Schengen. At the same time, supporters for Bulgaria and Romania urged continued effort, stressing that these nations deserve full access to free movement as soon as possible. A public statement from the minister emphasized ongoing commitment to help both countries progress.
The source of the progress update and the public remarks can be traced to official channels from the ministry and national leaders. The message underlined the commitment to transparency and to keeping the doors open for member states that meet the requirements.
The latest European Commission report, released three weeks prior to the vote, had given a positive recommendation for entry. Yet this recommendation did not persuade all capitals. Some governments expressed concerns about immigration pressures and broader rule-of-law issues, which influenced the final stance of key players. Dutch diplomatic officials noted that while Romania’s entry was straightforward, Bulgaria would need to demonstrate more progress, especially on the rule of law, before any forward movement could occur. They highlighted the need for continued efforts and evidence of reform.
disappointment in Brussels
The reactions in Brussels mixed disappointment with a continued sense of resolve. Citizens of Romania and Bulgaria deserve full Schengen membership and the right to move freely. A senior official acknowledged the disappointment and reaffirmed that unity among member states strengthens the Union, while a lack of unity weakens it. The official urged that entry remains a priority and could still be achieved as soon as possible within the EU framework.
Another senior official suggested that the matter could appear on the agenda of EU leaders at the upcoming summit. While Croatia’s progress was praised, the sentiment for Romania and Bulgaria remained clear: today was not the end of the road, and a path forward would be sought at the leaders’ meeting. Several member states, including Spain, echoed strong support for the three candidates, underscoring the Schengen area as a foundational EU pillar and stressing that all three have fulfilled the required criteria for full membership.