SOFIA, Bulgaria – Romania and Bulgaria took a significant step in their integration with the European Union on Sunday as they partially joined Europe’s ID-check-free travel zone. This move allows travelers arriving by air or sea from both countries to enjoy free access to the Schengen area, a longstanding goal after years of negotiations. However, land border checks remain in place due to concerns over illegal migration, primarily from Austria, which has previously vetoed the full accession of both countries.
The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, praised this development as a “huge success” for Romania and Bulgaria, marking a historic moment for the world’s largest free travel zone. With this addition, the Schengen Area now includes 25 EU member countries, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, facilitating the daily crossing of around 3.5 million people.
While Romania and Bulgaria have fulfilled the criteria for joining the Schengen area for some time, they faced opposition from certain EU member states. Despite this, Siegfried Muresan, a Romanian Member of the European Parliament, expressed optimism about the partial integration, highlighting the benefits it will bring to millions of travelers annually.
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu celebrated the achievement as a well-deserved one for Romania, emphasizing the positive impact on citizens’ ability to travel easily and the economy. He also emphasized the government’s commitment to achieving full accession to the Schengen Area by the end of the year.
Both Romania and Bulgaria have met the technical requirements for joining the Schengen area, but full accession requires unanimous support from all partners. Implementing random security screenings at airports and maritime borders to combat illegal migration and cross-border crime has been a key focus for both countries.
In Bulgaria, Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov expressed confidence that Bulgaria’s full accession to the Schengen zone would be realized by the end of 2024. This move is expected to enhance operations at Bulgaria’s international airports, especially in Sofia, the capital, which serves as a significant hub for Schengen flights.
The easing of border controls is anticipated to benefit the tourism sector, although concerns have been raised by members of the European Parliament regarding potential disruptions at land borders and their impact on trade and safety. Specifically, long queues at the EU’s land borders could pose challenges for truck drivers, with estimates suggesting significant financial losses for the sector each year.