Dutch Parliament

The Netherlands may still pose a challenge to Bulgaria and Romania's full accession to the Schengen zone, according to a report in the Financial Times.

Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov is set to embark on a one-day visit to The Hague for discussions with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte. The agenda for their meeting includes bilateral matters, European Union-related issues, and Bulgaria's strategic priorities, notably its aspirations to join the land Schengen and Eurozone.

Bulgaria's Minister of the Interior, Kalin Stoyanov, has underlined the ongoing discussions aimed at securing Austria's decision concerning Bulgaria's Schengen membership. With the recent approval from the Dutch parliament for Bulgaria's full inclusion in the Schengen area, the focus is now on Austria.

The Netherlands has granted approval for Bulgaria's inclusion in the Schengen area, as per a report by "Reuters." Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov, speaking after the European Council meeting in Brussels, anticipated positive news, highlighting the crucial decision made by the Dutch government.

The United States' behind-the-scenes efforts have influenced Austria's change of heart regarding Bulgaria and Romania's Schengen entry, according to reports by the Austrian newspaper Der Standard. Recent discussions led by former US Ambassador Ronald Lauder and US Assistant Secretary of State James O'Brien in Vienna played a pivotal role in convincing Austria to lift its veto.

Having a caretaker government in the Netherlands until the end of the year means that it is unlikely to sign Bulgaria's entry into Schengen, which requires unanimity among member states.

This is what "Politico" writes in an article dedicated to the political crisis in the Netherlands.

Turkey's foreign ministry said Tuesday it summoned the Dutch ambassador following a demonstration targeting Islam's holy book, days after a similar protest in Sweden tensed relations.

The Netherlands will require proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative coronavirus test for entry to bars, restaurants, museums, theatres and other cultural events from Sept. 25, as almost all social distancing measures are dropped.

Defence Minister Ank Bijleveld-Schouten told the Dutch parliament that relatives of a group of Srebrenica victims who were killed in July 1995 can submit requests for compensation from the start of March next year, after a Dutch court ruled that the state has partial responsibility for several hundred deaths.

The Bulgarian position is against the division of Albania and the Republic of Northern Macedonia into the EU accession process.