Finland says Romania and Bulgaria must fight against corruption to join Schengen

It is too early for Bulgaria and Romania to join Schengen, the Finnish Ambassador to Romania, Ulla Marianna Vaisto, has declared. Finland wants to see more progress in the anti-corruption fight undergone by the two states. ” The Schengen file will be sorted out”, the Finnish diplomat assured. “Let us say that we do not oppose Romania’s accession to Schengen,but a decision taken now is premature. We do not say that Romania and Bulgaria should not be in Schengen, only it will take longer, according to our opinion,” Vaisto said. “We are aware that Romania and Bulgaria made much progress regarding the technical criteria, which were practically accomplished, but we would like to see more progress as regards the anti-corruption fight and some improvements in the judicial system, in the functioning of judicial institutions. Only then, Romania and Bulgaria would be prepared to enter Schengen,” she added.