Post by Editor on Mar 4, 2013 13:51:38 GMT
Germany rejects Romania and Bulgaria's bid to roam Europe without passport amid fears of 'immigrant invasion'
Romania and Bulgaria expected to apply to join EU's Schengen area
'Germany will veto it and they will fail,' says interior minister Friedrich
Mayor of Duisburg has warned against flood of Romanian immigrants
By ALLAN HALL
PUBLISHED: 12:49, 4 March 2013 | UPDATED: 13:23, 4 March 2013
Germany will veto Romania and Bulgaria's bid to join the Schengen passport-free zone if the Eastern European countries push for membership this week.
Interior minister Hans-Peter Friedrich warned both nations that if they insist on entry into the scheme 'Germany will veto it and they will fail.'
The countries are expected to apply to join the group in a meeting on Thursday, but their bid has been undermined by fears non-Europeans could bribe their way in to the countries and then travel elsewhere in the EU with ease.
It is strong language from a politician well versed in more diplomatic speak, but Germany is undergoing an invasion of immigrants from both countries with many cities experiencing extreme social tensions as a result.
Problems: The mayor of Duisburg, Germany, claims Bulgarian and Romanian migrants are creating havoc in the city
Only last Friday the left-wing mayor of the former industrial city of Duisburg spoke of rubbish mountains, children of immigrants organised into gangs for stealing expeditions and an apartment block for 200 housing nearly 400 Romanians and Bulgarians.
The Schengen accord allows participating nations to allow its citizens to pass borders without having to show a passport. 26 nations participate, though Britain has always opted out of it due to security concerns.
If Romania and Bulgaria did join Schengen, their citizens would still need a passport to enter Britain, but immigrants would be able to pass through Eastern Europe to countries such as France or the Netherlands, making it much easier to smuggle themselves into the UK.
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When asked if either Romania or Bulgaria could have a Schengen entry at a major air or seaport, Mr Friedrich said 'no,' adding: 'The concept of freeing up certain areas, such as arrivals by air or via seaports, is likewise unacceptable.
'The EU has long been evaluating whether or not Romania and Bulgaria are ready for acceptance in the Schengen area. The last annual report showed progress, but it's not enough.
'Bulgaria and Romania still have to be more decisive in the fight against corruption. Those who acquire a visa through bribery could travel all the way to Germany without further controls.
'Our citizens will only accept an expansion of the Schengen area if some fundamental conditions have been met. That is not yet the case.'
'Mountains of rubbish': Soeren Link described mountains of waster 'taller than I am' outside buildings housing the city's Roma community
The minister also called for stricter sanctions for anyone who tried to cheat a country's social security system. Britain particularly fears this scenario when its labour market is opened to Romanians and Bulgarians in January next year.
The Netherlands is also staunchly opposed to Romania and Bulgaria joining the Schengen club. With expectations of admission low, Romanian prime minister Victor Ponta now says his country's membership of Schengen was 'no longer a priority', even though it is on the agenda for the Thursday meeting.
But he added: 'The government has done everything it could so that the decision is positive and I still have hopes for that.'
Mr Friedrich, in a parting shot aimed at Brussels mandarins who take decisions without consulting the people of the EU, added: 'The Commission has to learn to pay closer attention to the viewpoints and sensitivities of the people in EU member states.
'The basic attitude of "Oh, we'll just turn a blind eye, the main thing is that the EU continues to grow," is no longer acceptable for those who have to answer to the citizenry.'
Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2287852/Romania-Bulgaria-WONT-join-EU-passport-free-zone-Germany-vows-veto-Schengen-bid-corruption-fears.html#ixzz2MZwzQBvA
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Romania and Bulgaria expected to apply to join EU's Schengen area
'Germany will veto it and they will fail,' says interior minister Friedrich
Mayor of Duisburg has warned against flood of Romanian immigrants
By ALLAN HALL
PUBLISHED: 12:49, 4 March 2013 | UPDATED: 13:23, 4 March 2013
Germany will veto Romania and Bulgaria's bid to join the Schengen passport-free zone if the Eastern European countries push for membership this week.
Interior minister Hans-Peter Friedrich warned both nations that if they insist on entry into the scheme 'Germany will veto it and they will fail.'
The countries are expected to apply to join the group in a meeting on Thursday, but their bid has been undermined by fears non-Europeans could bribe their way in to the countries and then travel elsewhere in the EU with ease.
It is strong language from a politician well versed in more diplomatic speak, but Germany is undergoing an invasion of immigrants from both countries with many cities experiencing extreme social tensions as a result.
Problems: The mayor of Duisburg, Germany, claims Bulgarian and Romanian migrants are creating havoc in the city
Only last Friday the left-wing mayor of the former industrial city of Duisburg spoke of rubbish mountains, children of immigrants organised into gangs for stealing expeditions and an apartment block for 200 housing nearly 400 Romanians and Bulgarians.
The Schengen accord allows participating nations to allow its citizens to pass borders without having to show a passport. 26 nations participate, though Britain has always opted out of it due to security concerns.
If Romania and Bulgaria did join Schengen, their citizens would still need a passport to enter Britain, but immigrants would be able to pass through Eastern Europe to countries such as France or the Netherlands, making it much easier to smuggle themselves into the UK.
More...
British citizens could be forced to carry ID cards to access free NHS care as part of crackdown on health tourism
Israel launches 'Palestinian only' buses in move attacked as 'racist'
When asked if either Romania or Bulgaria could have a Schengen entry at a major air or seaport, Mr Friedrich said 'no,' adding: 'The concept of freeing up certain areas, such as arrivals by air or via seaports, is likewise unacceptable.
'The EU has long been evaluating whether or not Romania and Bulgaria are ready for acceptance in the Schengen area. The last annual report showed progress, but it's not enough.
'Bulgaria and Romania still have to be more decisive in the fight against corruption. Those who acquire a visa through bribery could travel all the way to Germany without further controls.
'Our citizens will only accept an expansion of the Schengen area if some fundamental conditions have been met. That is not yet the case.'
'Mountains of rubbish': Soeren Link described mountains of waster 'taller than I am' outside buildings housing the city's Roma community
The minister also called for stricter sanctions for anyone who tried to cheat a country's social security system. Britain particularly fears this scenario when its labour market is opened to Romanians and Bulgarians in January next year.
The Netherlands is also staunchly opposed to Romania and Bulgaria joining the Schengen club. With expectations of admission low, Romanian prime minister Victor Ponta now says his country's membership of Schengen was 'no longer a priority', even though it is on the agenda for the Thursday meeting.
But he added: 'The government has done everything it could so that the decision is positive and I still have hopes for that.'
Mr Friedrich, in a parting shot aimed at Brussels mandarins who take decisions without consulting the people of the EU, added: 'The Commission has to learn to pay closer attention to the viewpoints and sensitivities of the people in EU member states.
'The basic attitude of "Oh, we'll just turn a blind eye, the main thing is that the EU continues to grow," is no longer acceptable for those who have to answer to the citizenry.'
Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2287852/Romania-Bulgaria-WONT-join-EU-passport-free-zone-Germany-vows-veto-Schengen-bid-corruption-fears.html#ixzz2MZwzQBvA
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