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thomas davison

Germany rejects Romania and Bulgaria's bid to roam Europe without passport amid fears of 'immigrant invasion'

Romania and Bulgaria expected to apply to join EU's Schengen area
'Germany will veto it and they will fail,' says interior minister Friedrich
Mayor of Duisburg has warned against flood of Romanian immigrants

By Allan Hall

PUBLISHED: 12:49, 4 March 2013 | UPDATED: 13:23, 4 March 2013

Germany will veto Romania and Bulgaria's bid to join the Schengen passport-free zone if the Eastern European countries push for membership this week.

Interior minister Hans-Peter Friedrich warned both nations that if they insist on entry into the scheme 'Germany will veto it and they will fail.'

The countries are expected to apply to join the group in a meeting on Thursday, but their bid has been undermined by fears non-Europeans could bribe their way in to the countries and then travel elsewhere in the EU with ease.

It is strong language from a politician well versed in more diplomatic speak, but Germany is undergoing an invasion of immigrants from both countries with many cities experiencing extreme social tensions as a result.
Problems: The mayor of Duisburg, Germany, claims Bulgarian and Romanian migrants are creating havoc in the city

Problems: The mayor of Duisburg, Germany, claims Bulgarian and Romanian migrants are creating havoc in the city

Only last Friday the left-wing mayor of the former industrial city of Duisburg spoke of rubbish mountains, children of immigrants organised into gangs for stealing expeditions and an apartment block for 200 housing nearly 400 Romanians and Bulgarians.

The Schengen accord allows participating nations to allow its citizens to pass borders without having to show a passport. 26 nations participate, though Britain has always opted out of it due to security concerns.

If Romania and Bulgaria did join Schengen, their citizens would still need a passport to enter Britain, but immigrants would be able to pass through Eastern Europe to countries such as France or the Netherlands, making it much easier to smuggle themselves into the UK.

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When asked if either Romania or Bulgaria could have a Schengen entry at a major air or seaport, Mr Friedrich said 'no,' adding: 'The concept of freeing up certain areas, such as arrivals by air or via seaports, is likewise unacceptable.

'The EU has long been evaluating whether or not Romania and Bulgaria are ready for acceptance in the Schengen area. The last annual report showed progress, but it's not enough.

'Bulgaria and Romania still have to be more decisive in the fight against corruption. Those who acquire a visa through bribery could travel all the way to Germany without further controls.

'Our citizens will only accept an expansion of the Schengen area if some fundamental conditions have been met. That is not yet the case.'

'Mountains of rubbish': Soeren Link described mountains of waster 'taller than I am' outside buildings housing the city's Roma community

'Mountains of rubbish': Soeren Link described mountains of waster 'taller than I am' outside buildings housing the city's Roma community

The minister also called for stricter sanctions for anyone who tried to cheat a country's social security system. Britain particularly fears this scenario when its labour market is opened to Romanians and Bulgarians in January next year.

The Netherlands is also staunchly opposed to Romania and Bulgaria joining the Schengen club. With expectations of admission low, Romanian prime minister Victor Ponta now says his country's membership of Schengen was 'no longer a priority', even though it is on the agenda for the Thursday meeting.

But he added: 'The government has done everything it could so that the decision is positive and I still have hopes for that.'

Mr Friedrich, in a parting shot aimed at Brussels mandarins who take decisions without consulting the people of the EU, added: 'The Commission has to learn to pay closer attention to the viewpoints and sensitivities of the people in EU member states.

'The basic attitude of "Oh, we'll just turn a blind eye, the main thing is that the EU continues to grow," is no longer acceptable for those who have to answer to the citizenry.'
German Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich
Cramped: Hundreds of Roma are cramped into dilapidated buildings in the Duisburg, the city's mayor said

'Social unrest': Interior minister Hans-Peter Friedrich, left, has warned against the influx of immigrants coming from Eastern Europe as Duisburg, right, continues to struggle with its Roma community

Soeren Link, the left-wing mayor of Duisburg, close to the border with Holland, claims prostitution and robberies have spiked since the EU's latest members began arriving last year.

'We are massively affected,' said the mayor, confirming the fears of the Association of German Cities which recently warned of 'social unrest' because of the economic refugees.

He spoke of rubbish mountains 'taller than I am' outside of dilapidated housing blocks in the district where, in one, 400 Bulgarians and Romanians are crammed into just over 40 apartments.

'Children are misused there and sent on stealing missions,' he claimed in a TV discussion about the problem.

Germany is the continent's most socially-minded nation with a lavish array of welfare benefits. Some Roma families are claiming over �2,000 a month in child welfare payments, even though they are technically not supposed to work in the country until January next year.
'Massively affected': Duisburg's mayor claims Romanian and Bulgarian migrants are costing the city millions per year

'Massively affected': Duisburg's mayor claims Romanian and Bulgarian migrants are costing the city millions per year

'It is costing us millions and will cost us more by next year,' added Mr Link, who said anyone who thought the problem was going to go away was 'misty eyed'.

He added: 'We didn't ask for this problem and we can't handle it alone.' On his Facebook page the mayor wrote: 'Platitude slogans and strong words do not help!'

His outspokenness earned him the praise of citizens including pensioner Heinz Hoffmann, 67, who said: 'If my rubbish spills out on the street I would be slapped with a summons in no time. Why do they get away with it?'

Housewife Baerbel Kramer, 57, added: 'I have sympathy for the poor people, but we are also afraid of them.'

Wait until they get here, if you think there is crime now well you aint seen nothing yet.

thomas davison · Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 7:46 pm Post subject:

Romania says British ministers have agreed secret deal to ensure migrants receive benefits despite coalition claims of a crackdown

Romanian foreign minister Titus Corlatean claims to have 'received official assurances from the British Government' that handouts would continue
UK ministers plotting emergency measures to limit benefits for newcomers
Care may be restricted to those who have lived in UK more than a year
Access to housing and out-of-work benefits could also be limited
Downing Street warns of 'widespread concern' about big influx from Romania and Bulgaria when restrictions are lifted next year

By Matt Chorley and Daniel Martin

PUBLISHED: 15:27, 4 March 2013 | UPDATED: 17:40, 4 March 2013

British ministers have promised benefits for Romanian migrants will be protected, it has emerged as the row over who receives state handouts intensifies.

The UK government is understood to be drawing up emergency plans to curb the benefits which can be claimed by new arrivals.

Healthcare, housing and child benefit could be limited to only those people who have lived in Britain for more than a year.
Ministers want to get to grips with the issue before the expected influx of thousands of Romanians and Bulgarians next year once EU restrictions are lifted

Ministers want to get to grips with the issue before the expected influx of thousands of Romanians and Bulgarians next year once EU restrictions are lifted

But Romanian foreign minister Titus Corlatean claims to have 'received official assurances from the British Government' that EU rules on benefits would not be changed.

'We don�t speak about the Romanians as migrants, they are European citizens, we are European citizens, we are members of the European Union so we have our legitimate rights according to the EU treaties,' he told Sky News.

Its true you cannot stop them our leaders have sold our country down the river for a place at the top table of the EUSSR.