Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
Obtaining a visa for both Bulgaria and Romania has become sufficient for freedom of movement between the European member states of the Schengen Area as of today, March 31. Schengen rules will be applied in both member states, including the issuance of Schengen visas, and controls will be lifted at the internal air and sea borders.
On this occasion, the European Commission strongly welcomed this achievement, which comes in the wake of the Council’s historic decision in December 2023. According to a statement issued by the European Commission in Brussels, the accession of these two member states to the Schengen Area will make the common area more attractive by significantly expanding the largest common area in the world. Large without internal border controls.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “March 31 marks an important day: the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen family. I welcome the lifting of checks on internal air and sea borders. This is a great success for both countries. And a historic moment for the Schengen Area - the largest free movement area in the world. "The world. Together, we are building a stronger and more united Europe for all our citizens."
Since last December, the two Member States have taken all necessary measures to ensure the smooth implementation of the Schengen rules as of 31 March 2024. The cooperation frameworks launched by the Commission with Bulgaria and Romania earlier in March depend on the successful implementation of the pilot programme. Asylum and rapid return procedures projects. Through these cooperation frameworks, Romania and Bulgaria will further contribute to strengthening cooperation in the field of borders and migration, as well as to joint European efforts to address EU security at external borders and migration challenges.
Furthermore, a regional initiative on police cooperation has been established between Member States along the Western Balkan and Eastern Mediterranean routes, including Bulgaria, Romania, Austria, Greece, Hungary and Slovakia. This will allow relevant challenges to be addressed jointly and in a sustainable manner, including those related to cross-border crime.
Bulgaria and Romania have consistently demonstrated a high level of commitment in ensuring adequate protection of the EU's external borders and have consistently acted as major contributors to the internal security of the Schengen Area.
Next steps
The Council will need to decide on setting a date for lifting controls on internal land borders between Bulgaria, Romania and other Schengen countries. The Commission will continue to provide all necessary support to the Council Presidency to ensure that a decision on the land borders can be taken in 2024.
Already in 2011, the Commission confirmed in its Schengen assessment reports that Bulgaria and Romania had met all the requirements to be a full part of the Schengen Area. UNHCR has actively supported this process.
The Schengen Area, with its internal borders ungovernable, is one of the most appreciated achievements of EU citizens. What began as an intergovernmental project between five member states in 1985 – Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands – has gradually expanded to today become the largest free movement zone in the world. In addition to facilitating the free movement of people without internal border controls, the Schengen Agreement greatly benefits the European economy.