France says Bulgaria and Romania are not ready for Schengen

France’s Interior Minister Manuel Valls expressed some reservations about Bulgaria and Romania’s accession in the Schengen area as of January 1, 2014.

“If the necessary conditions are not present, we cannot do it. For now, this cannot happen,” Valls said.

The Schengen members are expected to rule on the enlargement over the next weeks.

“These countries are responsible for guaranteeing the security at the borders. The EU said they were not ready. Let us see what will happen in the future. We have one single wish – Romania to tackle its lapses. The country is making efforts,” the French minister said further.