German Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich has said it's not time for Romania and Bulgaria to enter the Schengen area, despite the two countries’ progress.

“In our opinion, it’s not yet the time to eliminate border controls for the two countries,” said the German minister, reports local news agency Mediafax.

Friedrich also stated that the two countries have made some progress, but this is not sufficient in order “to meet the legal conditions that would allow their entrance in the Schengen area”.

However, the German official said he couldn’t estimate when it will be the right time for Romania and Bulgaria to join Schengen.

Romania and Bulgaria have been awaiting to join the Schengen area, after seven years of transition since entering the EU. The two countries’ joining the border-free area has been constantly blocked by various EU member states.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com