Bulgaria, Romania's Schengen bids vetoed

Bulgaria and Romania's bids to join Europe's Schengen zone were vetoed on Thursday.

The Netherlands and Finland voted against Romania and Bulgaria's bids.

"We are not in favor of accession at this moment," Dutch minister Gerd Leers said.

To join the border-free Schengen area, countries needed to get the approval of all 22 European Union countries that have signed up to the agreement.

The Schengen Treaty allows visitors to most EU countries to travel freely with a single visa and only minimal border checks.