EU MONITOR: An Arduous Path: Are Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania Ready to Join the Area?

As a reaction to the ‘migration crisis’, some members of Schengen, such as Germany or Austria, decided to restore internal border controls. Another sensitive issue raised by the migration crisis was redistribution of the asylum seekers, as countries affected the most by the arrival, especially Italy and Greece. High number of refugees in those countries puts an enormous pressure on its governments and makes it a very sensitive topic, which can be easily used in favour of populist, anti-migrant politicians. Relieving Italy and Greece from the amounts of asylum seekers would support more stable political environment. The incapability of some EU members to agree on a constructive and consensual solution of the problem over migration only widened divisions within the Union.