Bulgaria and Romania can join the Schengen area. The EU states agreed on this after Austria had previously given up its resistance. EU citizens can move within the Schengen area without controls.
The border-free Schengen area in Europe is growing. The EU countries agreed to expand the area to include Romania and Bulgaria, as the Spanish Presidency announced on the X platform, formerly Twitter.
Accordingly, personal controls at the internal air and sea borders should be lifted from the end of March 2024. According to information, a decision will be made later about lifting controls at land borders.
The Schengen area is intended to ensure unrestricted movement of people in Europe. So far, 23 of the 27 EU member states as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland have belonged to it.
Exceptministers welcome decision
The foreign ministers of the new Schengen states also expressed their delight at the EU countries’ decision on Platform X. It is an “important result” for the citizens of Romania, wrote Foreign Minister Luminiţa Odobescu. “Our thanks go to all EU partners and institutions for their support,” Odobescu continued. Romania remains committed to a “strong and secure Schengen area”.
The Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maria Gabriel wrote on the platform that the Schengen area would become stronger with Bulgaria and Romania.
Austria gave up resistance
The admission of the two EU countries Romania and Bulgaria into the Schengen area had so far failed, mainly due to resistance from Austria. The government in Vienna justified the rejection by saying that too many unregistered migrants were arriving. New members can only be accepted unanimously. Romania and Bulgaria had been waiting for the decision since 2011.
The EU Commission in Brussels welcomed the decision of the EU countries. The accession of Romania and Bulgaria will promote travel, trade and tourism and further strengthen the internal market.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it was an important step forward for both countries and for the Schengen area as a whole. This great achievement is the result of the hard work, commitment and perseverance of both countries. All EU member states will become full members of the Schengen area as soon as they are ready. This is both a right and an obligation.
Problems with corruption and crime
Romania and Bulgaria had already joined the EU in 2007. Until September, the judiciary and the rule of law there were under special surveillance by the EU Commission due to rampant corruption and organized crime. Because of these problems, there was no unanimity among the heads of state and government for accession for a long time. In mid-September, the authority officially ended the special monitoring and said Romania and Bulgaria were ready for membership.
The Foreign Office congratulated the two countries on Saturday evening. “Europe is moving closer together today,” said a post on Germany continues to work towards this.