Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
Tomorrow, March 31, both Bulgaria and Romania will become members of the Schengen Area. Schengen rules will be applied in both member states, including the issuance of Schengen visas, and controls at internal air and sea borders will be lifted.
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 on Saturday 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 expanding the largest common area in the world. Largely without internal border controls.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “Tomorrow marks an important day: the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen family. I welcome the lifting of checks at 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. The Committee 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.
The European statement quoted von der Leyen as saying, “Tomorrow marks an important day: the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen family. I welcome the lifting of inspections at 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. Together we are building a stronger, more united Europe for all our citizens.
For his part, Margaritis Schinas, Vice President for Promoting the European Way of Life, said, “The accession of Romania and Bulgaria makes the Schengen Area stronger – strengthening the ‘crown jewel’ that symbolizes our European way of life, for the benefit of the internal market, our economies and European citizens everywhere. I congratulate them with all my heart.” Both countries for all the hard work you did to get here – this is your achievement, and it is not only well deserved, but long overdue. We will continue every step of the way forward together.
“As of today, Bulgaria and Romania will fully implement the Schengen acquis, making the EU stronger and safer while better protecting our external borders, changing the lives of millions, and making travel easier,” Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said. Romania and Bulgaria. Internal border controls on air borders and sea borders will be lifted today. The next step is to lift checks also on internal land borders. The discussion will continue in the Council this year. I pledge that this is the priority at the end of my term.