Romania, Bulgaria improve on corruption but not enough: minister

Thursday 09 February 2012

Romania and Bulgaria have taken steps to reduce corruption but have not done enough to be able to join the EU's Schengen open border area, the Netherlands said on Wednesday.

Speaking after the publication of a new European Commission report on the issue, junior foreign minister Ben Knapen told the Financial Times: 'Progress is visible in both countries, especially in Romania. It is a step forward, but more needs to be done.'

The FT says the report says Romania and Bulgaria must take further action to reduce corruption and reform their judiciary and that it is unlikely either country will be allowed to join the passport-free Schengen region 'in the near future'.

The Netherlands is the only one of the 27 EU member states to veto the two countries' membership.

© DutchNews.nl

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