This week the LIBE Committee in the European Parliament (EP) discussed Croatia’s accession to the Schengen zone. The exchange was part of the development of the EP’s opinion on Croatia’s accession, which is a prerequisite for the final decision, which must be taken by the European Council in unanimity.
During the exchange in the LIBE Committee, MEPs remarked that while they consider Croatia to be ready to join the Schengen area, representatives of four different political groups highlighted concerns regarding Croatia’s management at the external border, the reports on push-backs and denial of asylum as well as the questions related to the border monitoring mechanism.
The different MEPs involved in developing the EP’s opinion will be providing amendments to the draft report prepared by the rapporteur in the coming weeks with voting expected in the coming month. The Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU would like Member States to take a decision on the Schengen accession of Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania at the December European Council.
For further information:
- ECRE, AIDA 2021 Update: Croatia, May 2022
- ECRE, Balkan Route: Systematic Pushbacks Continue Across the Balkans, Shortcomings in Croatia’s Monitoring Mechanism, Hungary Applies Double Standards in Approach to Arrivals, July 2022
- ECRE Policy Note, Schengen – A Club where Fundamental Rights (Do Not) Matter?, November 2019
This article appeared in the ECRE Weekly Bulletin. You can subscribe to the Weekly Bulletin here.