EU in danger unless Bulgaria joins Schengen, says Sofia

During an interview with a radio station on 18 October 2015, Bulgaria's Deputy Prime Minister Meglena Kuneva defended that the European Union would be in danger unless the country joined the Schengen Agreement, as Bulgaria was not able to check if incoming refugees were registered as criminals or terrorists in the Schengen Information System.

Decisions on new countries joining the Schengen area are taken unanimously, and Germany was seen as the biggest obstacle preventing Bulgaria from joining the group.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Romania to accept refugees if admitted to Schengen http://www.europeansources.info/record/romania-to-accept-refugees-if-admitted-to-schengen/

ESO: Background information: French attack harms Bulgaria and Romania's Schengen hopes http://www.europeansources.info/record/french-attack-harms-bulgaria-and-romanias-schengen-hopes/

EurActiv, 13.11.15: Bulgaria warns Germany against returning refugees http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/bulgaria-warns-germany-against-returning-migrants-319435

ECFR: Commentary, 19.11.15: View from Sofia: A move to scepticism http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_view_from_sofia_a_move_to_scepticism

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