Bulgarian Prime Minister Galab Donev on Monday said the Netherlands was opposing Bulgaria's bid to join the EU's passport-free Schengen travel region, ahead of a meeting of Europe's home affairs ministers this week to discuss the matter.
EU members states Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania are all seeking to join Schengen, and need unanimous support of the zone's countries at the meeting on Dec. 8.
Donev was referring to comments from Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte who has voiced opposition to Bulgaria's accession last week, according to ANP news agency, citing concerns over an alleged lack of effective rules to combat corruption.
