All MEPs from Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s party abstained in the vote on Romania’s Schengen accession / Another Dutch MEP (EPP) from the governing coalition voted against

All five MEPs from Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s party abstained on Tuesday in the European Parliament when MEPs voted on a resolution calling for Romania and Bulgaria to join the Schengen area.

The voting list published by the European Parliament shows that MEPs Malik Azmani, Bart Groothuis, Jan Huitema, Caroline Nagtegaal, Catharina Rinzema abstained. They belong to the Renew group and are members of the Dutch ruling party Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie (VVD).

Furthermore, Dutch MEP Peter van Dalen (EPP) voted against the resolution calling for Romania’s accession to Schengen. Van Dalen is a member of the ChristenUnie party, part of the Dutch ruling coalition with Mark Rutte’s party.

The European Parliament on Tuesday adopted by a large vote a resolution urging member states to allow Romania and Bulgaria to join the Schengen area without delay, according to a statement from the institution.

The resolution was adopted by 547 votes to 49 with 43 abstentions. It is the fourth such resolution adopted by the European Parliament since Romania’s accession to the EU.

Background. A decision on Romania and Bulgaria’s Schengen accession is expected to be taken on 8 December, when the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council will take place.

„By then there will be a report from a team of EU experts on border management, police cooperation and the return of illegal migrants,” Bode said.

Romania’s chances of joining Schengen at the end of the year depend crucially on a positive report from the European Commission on its justice laws. The CVM is essential for a positive outcome to Romania’s efforts, said Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who visited Romania last week.

From a technical point of view, Romania must pass the assessment carried out by European Commission experts at the customs in Arad and Timis counties.

Translated from Romanian by Ovidiu H.