Copenhagen, 11/01/2012 (Agence Europe) -Danish Minister for Justice Morten Boedskov hopes to find a solution “as quickly as possible” to enable Romania and Bulgaria to join the Schengen zone, a move which is blocked by the Netherlands. In response to questions from journalists at a conference on Wednesday 11 January, he said that the Danish Presidency of the EU Council will continue its efforts to seek a solution. “All the states have the same standards, and we must not have a two tier system”, he added, explaining that the efforts made by Romania and Bulgaria to meet the criteria must be acknowledged.
The issue, however, remains sensitive. When the Danish Presidency presented its programme for justice and home affairs, the minister made no reference to the accession of the two countries to the Schengen area. (CG/transl.fl)