Croatia - yes, Bulgaria and Romania - no: EU decides on new Schengen members

This is reported by Digi24.

Austria and the Netherlands voted against Romania and Bulgaria joining the Schengen Area. At the same time, the ministers approved Croatia's application.

The Netherlands specified that it was not against Romania, but only against Bulgaria, but since two separate decisions were adopted, one for Croatia, the other for Bulgaria and Romania, their vote was also against.

“The Schengen Area is growing for the first time in more than a decade thanks to the Czech Presidency. Ministers approved Croatia's membership as of 1 January 2023!” the Czech Republic, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, said on Twitter.

“Romania and Bulgaria, in my opinion, are ready to become members of the Schengen zone. I am grateful to these countries for all the work they have done. I am convinced that their time will come soon,” the head of the Czech Republic's Ministry of Internal Affairs, Vít Rakušan, said. 

European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson expressed disappointment that Bulgaria and Romania could not be approved, but said the European Commission will continue to work to ensure that these countries do join Schengen as soon as possible.