Romania and Bulgaria on Sunday partially joined the European Schengen zone without checking identity documents, marking a new step in the two countries' integration with the European Union, UNN reports citing AP.
Details
After years of negotiations to join the Schengen area, there is now free access for travelers arriving by air or sea from both countries. Both countries have agreed to conduct random security checks at airports and maritime borders to combat illegal migration and cross-border crime.
However, checks at land borders will remain in place due to opposition, primarily from Austria, which has long blocked their application due to problems with illegal migration.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the changes "a huge success for both countries" and a "historic moment" for the world's largest free movement area.
Siegfried Muresan, a member of the European Parliament from Romania, told the Associated Press that this is an "important first step" that will benefit millions of travelers every year. "Bulgaria and Romania have been fulfilling all the criteria for joining the Schengen area for many years - we have the right to join as far as the land border is concerned," he said, adding that it would "offer additional arguments to the last EU member state that vetoed full accession.
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu called it a "well-deserved achievement" for Romania, which he said would benefit citizens, who would have easier travel, and help strengthen the economy. "We have a clear and firmly adopted government plan to fully join the Schengen area by the end of the year," he said.
"Bulgaria's full accession to Schengen will take place by the end of 2024. We have shown and continue to show illegal migrants that they should not go to Europe through Bulgaria," Bulgarian Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov said on Sunday.
While the easing of the rules is expected to have a positive impact on the tourism sector, members of the European Parliament have expressed concern about long queues at EU land borders and their impact on trade in the bloc's single market, as well as on the health and safety of drivers.
Truck drivers often stand in long queues at the borders of Romania and Bulgaria. The Bulgarian Union of International Carriers estimates that the delays cost the sector tens of millions of euros annually.
Addendum
The Schengen area was established in 1985. Before Bulgaria and Romania joined, it included 23 of the 27 EU member states, as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. About 3.5 million people cross the internal border every day.
Austria vetoed Romania and Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen area at the end of 2022, but allowed Croatia's full accession. Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU in 2007, and Croatia in 2013.