Brussels( Brussels Morning )- Bulgaria and Romania are set to join the Schengen Area, commended by the European Commission for enhancing European integration and unity.
Bulgaria and Romania will enter the Schengen area on March 31, the European Commission stated in a press release. The Schengen rules will involve both EU Member States, including in issuing Schengen visas, and air and maritime internal border management will be lifted.
The Commission deeply welcomes this achievement, which pursues the historic Council decision of December 2023. The Schengen acquisition of these two Member States will make the common area more appealing by significantly expanding the world’s largest shared area without internal border controls.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen stated: “Tomorrow marks a significant day: Bulgaria and Romania join the Schengen family. I welcome the lifting of internal air and sea border inspections. This is a great victory for both countries. And a historic moment for the Schengen area – the most extensive area of free movement in the world. Together, we are constructing a stronger, more united Europe for all our citizens.”
Since last December, both Member States have carried out all necessary measures to ensure a velvety application of the Schengen rules as of 31 March 2024. The Cooperation Frameworks established earlier this March by the Commission together with Bulgaria and Romania produce the successful implementation of the pilot schemes for fast asylum and return procedures. With these Cooperation Frameworks, Romania and Bulgaria will additionally contribute to supporting the cooperation on border and migration, as well as to the common European efforts to address EU security at external borders and migratory challenges.
Furthermore, a regional endeavour on police cooperation was specified between Member States along the Western Balkan and Eastern Mediterranean ways, including Bulgaria, Romania, Austria, Greece, Hungary and Slovakia. This will permit to address related challenges jointly and in a tolerable manner, including as regards cross-border crime. Bulgaria and Romania have continually demonstrated a high level of dedication to ensuring adequate protection of the EU external borders and have repeatedly acted as key contributors to the internal security of the Schengen area.
The Council will be required to take a decision to designate a date for the lifting of inspections at internal land borders between Bulgaria, Romania and the other Schengen countries. The Commission will persist in providing all necessary authorisation to the Presidency of the Council to secure that a decision on land borders can be taken in 2024.
Already in 2011, the Commission affirmed in the Schengen Evaluation reports that Bulgaria and Romania have fulfilled all requirements to be fully part of the Schengen zone. The Commission has actively endorsed this process. The Schengen area without authority at its internal borders is one of EU citizens’ most cherished achievements. What began as an intergovernmental undertaking between five Member States in 1985 – Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands – has gradually developed to become what is today the largest area of free movement in the world. Besides promoting the free movement of people without internal border controls, Schengen greatly benefits Europe’s economy.
Bulgaria and Romania’s imminent entry into the Schengen area on March 31 marks a significant milestone in European integration. The European Commission applauds this achievement, which not only fulfils a historic decision but also enhances the appeal of the world’s largest shared area without internal border controls. President Ursula von der Leyen’s remarks underscore the importance of this moment, emphasizing the benefits for both countries and the broader Schengen area.
With diligent efforts and cooperation frameworks in place, Bulgaria and Romania are poised to contribute to border management, migration, and security initiatives. As the Council moves forward to lift inspections at internal land borders, the Schengen zone continues to symbolize one of the EU’s most cherished achievements, promoting free movement and fostering economic growth.
