Crime and corruption
February 8, 2012
The European Commission issued a report on Wednesday calling on Romania and Bulgaria to do more to crack down on corruption and organized crime to improve their chances of joining Europe's border-free Schengen zone.
The Netherlands, a country that is especially adamant about reforms coming to Romania and Bulgaria, said improvements had been made but they weren't enough.
"Progress is visible in both countries, especially in Romania. It is a step forward but more needs to be done," said Dutch Europe Minister Ben Knapen.
Bulgaria received the brunt of the criticism in the EU report. Six benchmarks were laid out for the country, including the need to continue judicial reforms, conduct non-partisan investigations into allegations of high-level corruption and implement a strategy against organized crime.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov placed blame for the negative report squarely on the shoulders of the justice and interior ministries.
Another report on the two nations' progress is due to be released in July. That will be the next opportunity for Romania and Bulgaria to enter the Schengen zone.
"The Netherlands seeks two consecutive positive reports which indicate sustainable and irreversible progress to combat corruption and organised crime," Knapen said.
The Schengen area consists of 25 countries and allows visa-free travel across any of the national borders.
mz/ccp (AP, AFP)