The Netherlands has agreed to Bulgaria joining Europe's passport-free Schengen zone, the Dutch Justice Ministry said on December 15, ending its long-held opposition to the move. The Netherlands previously opposed granting access to the Eastern European country over concerns about corruption and migration, but the ministry now says Bulgaria meets conditions to join Schengen. Austria still opposes Bulgaria joining the world's largest passport-free area, though it said on December 11 that it was willing to give some ground by allowing plane travel in exchange for tighter security at the EU's external border.
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