Schengen has to be earned

The governments of Germany and France have every right to oppose the Schengen accession of Romania and Bulgaria, writes the conservative daily Le Figaro: "It's their right to stop the Balkanisation of Europe. ... The Romanian politicians miss the point when they talk of discrimination. Everyone knows Romania profited from advantageous political circumstances three years ago, and since then has failed to make the progress demanded of it in the fight against corruption and organised crime. Europe is no supermarket where everyone can take what they please without respecting the rules. And that's how it is with the freedom of movement. Of course everyone wants the lifting of visa requirements. But they must also realise that this privilege has to be earned."

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