(ANSA) - BRUXELLES - Romania and Bulgaria "are ready" to join the Schengen area and must be admitted "as soon as possible", Socialists and Democrats MEPs called during a debate at the European Parliament on strengthening the Schengen area. Croatia, as well, "should join as soon as it meets the technical criteria for doing so", S&D MEP urged.

"Their entry into Schengen could boost Europe's economy by facilitating easier access to some of Europe's biggest southern freight ports" and could represent "a good counterbalance to national populism", the leader of the Socialist and Democrat group, Italian MEP Gianni Pitella, said.

"We will continue to press Member States to stop blocking their accession", Pittella pointed out. The leader of the Socialist and Democrat group also criticised the President of the European Council: "We wrote Tusk to urge him to act on this, but so far his response has been vague and elusive", he said.

"We cannot accept this. President Tusk and the Council must stop postponing matters due to selfish national interests and let Romania and Bulgaria join immediately. Europe must stand by its promises", he added. (ANSA).