Great relief after the agreement on the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area, starting with the air and sea borders: “Today is a historic moment for Bulgaria and Romania,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized late on Saturday evening X EU countries agreed on Saturday to expand the Schengen area to include Bulgaria and Romania, as announced by the Spanish presidency of the EU Council.
Air and sea border controls will be lifted in March 2024. A decision on lifting land controls will be made later. Discussions on this would continue in 2024.
“Important step forward”
“This is an important step forward for both countries and for the Schengen area as a whole,” said Von der Leyen. “My congratulations to Bulgaria and Romania: this great achievement is the result of your hard work, commitment and perseverance.” An expanded Schengen area will strengthen the EU both internally and globally.
Austria had previously confirmed an agreement with Romania and Bulgaria on the so-called “Schengen Air”. As the Ministry of the Interior explained to the APA on Saturday, a corresponding legally binding text was sent to the Spanish EU presidency on Friday evening.
On December 8, 2022, Austria blocked an extension of the border-free Schengen system to Romania and Bulgaria, citing the large number of asylum seekers. The Netherlands also opposed Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen. However, Croatia’s accession to Schengen was given the green light.
Facilitated access
The agreement now means that travelers from Romania and Bulgaria will no longer have to fly to other EU countries via international terminals in the future. Passports are checked at the gate by the airlines with the support of the police.
Romania welcomed the move. “The decision to join the Schengen area with air and sea borders from March 2024 is an important first step,” President Klaus Johannis said on Saturday evening. He spoke on Facebook of a “positive interim result”, but the goal remains full membership. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu added: “After thirteen years of failure and humiliation, this government has initiated a process that is irreversible from today. Next year we will continue our efforts to finally complete this process.”
“Important economic partners”
In a press release, the domestic industry called it an “important step” as the agreement not only makes things easier for travelers, but also for companies. Austrian companies are among the most important investors in Romania with 11.2 billion euros and therefore more than 61,000 local jobs and Bulgaria with 2.8 billion euros and more than 21,000 local jobs, the trade association said in a press release.
The business community also welcomed the partial agreement in the Schengen dispute. “Romania and Bulgaria are important economic partners for the Austrian economy; our companies are the second most important foreign investor in both countries and have important sales markets in the region,” emphasizes the Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ). At the same time, she called for further discussions with a view to comprehensive solutions.
“This is how Europe grows closer together”
EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson “warmly” welcomed Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area. “This first but important step, which allows the free movement of citizens and businesses by air and sea, breaks a blockade that has lasted for thirteen years.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the end of air and sea border controls in the spring a first step. “Germany will continue to support full integration into the Schengen area. This is how Europe grows closer together!”, it said on his X profile.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
