European Commission Reiterates Support for Bulgaria's Schengen Accession

The European Commission continues to fully back Bulgaria and Romania's bid to join the Schengen area, as well as the EU Presidency's efforts in this direction, it said in a report.

"Following the [European] Council conclusion in June 2011 that both Bulgaria and Romania fulfil the criteria to apply in full the Schengen acquis, further measures were implemented which would contribute to their accession,” the report reads.

However, the Council has not been able to decide on the lifting of control at the internal borders to these countries, the report noted.