Netherlands considers that Romania and Bulgaria cannot join Schengen “at this stage”, joining the positions expressed by France, Germany and Finland, AFP reports. We agree with France, Germany, Finland and other countries that Romania and Bulgaria cannot join Schengen at this stage, Dutch European Affairs minister Ben Knapen declared in a press conference after a meeting with his French counterpart, Laurent Wauquiez.

According to the reports, there are too many irregularities for that Romania and Bulgaria to join Schengen. We decided to set up a series of criteria that will have to be respected based on which we will also be able to create a calendar for the two countries, the Dutch official said. At his turn, Laurent Wauquiez refused a calendar with artificial dates and said criteria to join Schengen are not complied with.