German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced on that Monday European Union countries Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria all meet the requirements to become full members of the bloc’s passport-free Schengen area, according to Reuters.
“Schengen is one of the greatest achievements of the European Union, and we should protect and develop it. This means, incidentally, closing the remaining gaps,” he said, according to the text of a speech for delivery in Prague.
“Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria fulfil all the technical requirements for full membership. I will work to see them become full members.”
In mid-June this year, during a meeting with Romanian president Klaus Iohannis, French leader Emmanuel Macron also confirmed his country’s support for Romania’s accession to Schengen and said “France stands by Romania,” Romania-Insider reports.
Romania’s prime minister Nicolae Ciuca stated earlier this month that he expected the country to win entry into the EU’s passport-free Schengen area before the end of the year.