Romania is stepping up immigration controls along its borders to boost its bid to join Europe’s Schengen visa-free zone. Stopping the flow of illegal immigrants is seen as key for allowing the two countries to join. Last month, France and Germany said that it was "premature" to let Bulgaria and Romania enter the passport-free travel area in March 2011; and it only takes one member country of the Schengen block to vote against them and scupper their plans.