The way is clear for Bulgaria and Romania to be fully included in the Schengen area. The responsible interior ministers will vote at their meeting on December 12.
According to the Hungarian Council Presidency, EU ambassadors “completed the preparation of the Council decision to lift land border controls with Bulgaria and Romania from 1 January 2025” during their meeting in Brussels on Wednesday.
Approval probably resolved
In council circles, approval is expected from all member states – including Austria. The interior ministers of Austria, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary agreed last Friday in Budapest on a new border protection package to set the course for the two Balkan countries to join Schengen in January.
Austria was the only country to block full access. The two countries have been members of ‘Air Schengen’ since March; there are no more controls at the air or sea borders.
“Let’s cross the bridge when we get there”
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) spoke in Budapest in December about “another important step towards coordination” during the EU Council of Interior Ministers. A decision won’t be made until December. “Let’s cross the bridge when we get to it,” Karner emphasized. This should be positive.
Source: Krone
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