(ANSA-AFP) - BRUSSELS, DEC 8 - Bids by Bulgaria and Romania to join Europe's border check-free Schengen area were blocked in an EU ministers' meeting Thursday, although Croatia's bid was approved, officials said. "I'm also disappointed" by the outcome for Bulgaria and Romania, EU home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson told journalists after the meeting. The two nations "deserve to be full members of Schengen" and further efforts will be made to get them there within the next two years, she added.

"I am pleased that Croatia's efforts have been recognized.

Congratulations to Andrej Plenkovic and Davor Bozinovic (Croatian premier and deputy premier with responsibility for the Interior, respectively) for Croatia's entry into Schengen. Today is a day of disappointment for Romania and Bulgaria but our efforts will not stop here. The leaders will meet next week. A way out must be found." This was written in a tweet by European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas, commenting on the decisions taken today at the Internal Affairs Council on the enlargement of the area of free movement. (ANSA-AFP).