The Netherlands will only decide on Romania and Bulgaria's entry into the Schengen area in 2012, after a trial period, according to the Dutch minister of Immigration Gerd Leers. “It is too early to make a decision and it will take some time before we will be able to do it,” said Leers, quoted by Spanish newspaper El Mundo.

The trial period should last until 2012, when the European Commission will issue a new report on Justice, according to El Mundo. Romania's and Bulgaria's entry to the Schengen area is on the debate list in the European Council this Thursday. The Justice and Home Affairs (JAI) Council will on Thursday decide on Romania and Bulgaria's Schengen entry, after the European Parliament has already given green light for this process. The European Parliament's say was however for consultation only and the decision stays in the hands of JAI.

The Schengen co-operation began on 14 June 1985, with the Schengen Agreement. The Schengen area has since grown to encompass 25 members: the EU countries Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and the three associated non-EU countries Norway, Iceland and Switzerland.

editor@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: sxc.hu)