Hungary wants to follow the Netherlands’ example and allow Bulgaria to join the Schengen Area, but has set a strict condition. The country must raise the transit tax on Russian gas. If not, Hungary will use its veto power.
This is what the news agency reported Reuters Saturday, based on a statement by the Hungarian Foreign Ministry. Hungary currently pays Bulgaria the Russian gas import tax and is now benefiting from the possibility of Bulgaria joining to get rid of it.
The Netherlands on Friday approved Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen Area. For a long time, our country was one of the few countries that opposed this, along with Hungary, among others.
The Netherlands blocked Bulgaria’s accession because it believed the Eastern European country did not meet the requirements. This concerns, for example, good border control, the democratic constitutional state of the state and the fight against corruption. A recent study conducted by the European Commission did not reveal any shortcomings in this area.
In addition to Hungary, attention is also turning to Austria. That country also opposed Bulgaria’s accession. Austria and Bulgaria are still in discussions to see if Austria’s resistance can be removed.
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Nederland wil Bulgarije laten toetreden tot Schengengebied en heft blokkade op
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Ondanks wegblijven Orbán overheerst bij EU-leiders enthousiasme over Oekraïne
