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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the changes as a “huge success for both countries” and a “historic moment” for the world’s largest free travel zone.
The Schengen Area was established in 1985. Before Bulgaria and Romania joined, it consisted of 23 of the 27 EU member states, plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Approximately 3.5 million people cross the country’s borders every day.
Austria vetoed Romania and Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen Area at the end of 2022, but allowed Croatia’s full membership. Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU in 2007, and Croatia in 2013.
Siegfried Muresan, a Romanian member of the European Parliament, told The Associated Press that this is an “important first step” that will benefit millions of tourists a year.
“Bulgaria and Romania have met all the criteria for joining the Schengen Area for many years. We have the right to join even our land borders,” he said. “This will provide additional discussion for the last EU member state that has done so.” veto full accession. ”
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolak said this was a “well-deserved result” for Romania and would benefit its people and boost its economy by making travel easier.
“There is a clear and firm plan by the government for full access to the Schengen Area by the end of the year,” he said.
For more than a decade, the European Commission, the EU’s executive branch, has maintained that both Romania and Bulgaria meet the technical criteria for full membership and that full membership requires unanimous support from partner states. I’ve done it. The two countries have agreed to conduct unannounced security checks at airports and maritime borders to combat illegal immigration and cross-border crime.
While the lifting of border controls at air and sea ports is expected to have a positive impact on the tourism sector, MEPs have warned that long queues at the EU’s land borders and the impact this has on trade in the single market will have a positive impact on the tourism sector. They have also expressed concern about the impact it will have. As driver health and safety.
At the Romanian-Bulgarian border, truck drivers are frequently caught in queues that stretch several kilometers. Bulgaria’s International Airline Federation estimates that delays cost the airline industry tens of millions of euros each year.
McGrath reported from Sighisoara, Romania.
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