MP has concerns over opening up the EU’s external border
Yesterday in the House of Commons John Baron MP voted against a motion (and against his Party) supporting the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen Area. The Schengen Agreement allows citizens of EU member states – except the UK and Ireland, who have not signed it – to move freely across the Area without any border controls.
There has been controversy over whether Bulgaria and Romania have met the required standards to join the Schengen Area. In September the EU Council of Ministers voted against admitting the two countries, with the Finnish and Dutch governments expressing concerns that not enough has been done to crack down on criminality and corruption. There have also been reports that the borders with Turkey are not secure and are therefore open to illegal immigration into the EU.
John said,
“I am against admitting any country to the Schengen Area which does not have secure borders and is not cracking down on its criminal and mafia networks. Admitting Romania and Bulgaria would allow anyone in their countries to get to the French coast.”
“We saw the Schengen Agreement break down with the surge of Libyans fleeing their troubles. This shows how easy it is to abuse the Agreement.”
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