Britain may need to brace itself against a new wave of migration as Germany is set to allow Bulgaria and Romania to join the passport-free Schengen area, the Express reports.
The move essentially moves the border of the EU to the two countries which border Moldova, Ukraine and Turkey since once anyone crosses their frontiers, it is a passport free zone until Calais in the North of the continent.
Experience shows that countries who are on the border and who do not receive assistance in dealing with increased demands on their border police have a high incentive to allow migrants into the country, knowing it will just be used as a passage through to the real destination of richer member states, including the UK.
Some countries have in the past handed out passports to those wanting to come through, saying it reduces the burden of cost which being a border EU country brings. Hungary simplified its requirements, demanding only a basic knowledge of the language and a direct Hungarian ancestor to get a passport. The vast majority of passports handed out in 2012, according to Eurostat, were Romanian, followed by Ukrainians, Serbians and Slovakians. But those figures do not include those made outside of Hungary. but 500,000 people have applied for its citizenship worldwide since the new laws came into place.
Ukip MEP Gerard Batten condemned the decision saying “the only people who will really benefit from it are those who are not able to cross the EU legally.”
“This seems an extraordinary thing for the Germans to do considering Romanians and Bulgarians can travel freely through Europe already.
“It shows how committed the Germans are to a fully integrated borderless state and a United States of Europe.”
The Schengen agreement has already been signed by 26 countries, 22 of them members of the EU. Other participants have voiced concerns about the two poorest EU countries being allowed to join, with Holland insisting they must tighten their borders and cut corruption.
And France, whose Northern coast is already a waiting area for migrants trying to illegally cross the channel to the UK, fears the move could result in the City being deluged with yet more unwanted migrants.
With the current problem of illegal migration no where near resolved, many are wondering why this move should be proposed now. Over 50,000 illegal immigrants have come across the Turkish – Greek border r and criminal gangs from Russia, Turkey and Asia are known to use Romania as a hub for their people trafficking and smuggling.
German foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, said: “We are ready to begin the discussion process.
“The security situation has changed but we are going to continue working hard so non-Schengen countries can meet membership requirements.”
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