The European Parliament is expected to vote today a new resolution which demands Bulgaria’s and Romania’s swift accession to the Schengen Area. On Monday (December 10) the MEPs held a debate in support of the two Balkan countries in their Schengen accession bid. The leader of the Party of European Socialists (PES) Sergei Stanishev is the main rapporteur for this report. Sergei Stanishev insists on Bulgaria’s and Romania’s full accession to the Schengen Area. Mr Stanishev told the Bulgarian National Radio that the deferral of Bulgaria’s and Romania’s full accession brings about negative consequences for the two countries. The European Peoples’ Party, the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, the European Conservatives and Reformists and representatives of the liberals voiced their support for Bulgaria’s and Romania’s full accession to Schengen. The Netherlands and Germany are opposing Bulgaria’s and Romania’s accession to the Schengen Area. The final decision must be taken unanimously by the EU Council.