The Netherlands is also vetoing the admission of Bulgaria and Romania to the so-called “Schengen area,” the EU’s borderless area where people can travel freely. The Dutch insist that Bulgaria and Romania must combat corruption and organized crime more effectively; they are worried that crime and corruption might jeopardize safety in the Schengen area.
Some critics warn that the position of the Dutch will isolate their country in Europe. It is, however, also possible that the Dutch are pioneers, whose example will soon be followed by others. An indication of this could be seen last week when French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is currently running for reelection, called for a French withdrawal from Schengen, if within the next 12 months no serious reforms are undertaken to address the problem of the EU’s porous southern and eastern borders, which allow an inflow of thousands of immigrants (many of them Muslims) each year.
One hopes that EU leaders, like Sarkozy, will soon also notice that a more realistic approach to Israel – in line with that of the Dutch – is in the supranational security interests of Europe.
Originally published by Stonegate Institute www.stonegateinstitute.org