The countries of the European Union (EU) agreed this Saturday, unanimously, the gradual entry of Romania and Bulgaria into the Schengen free movement area after Austria, the last country of the Twenty-seven that opposed the measure, lifted its veto.
The decision implies that, Starting in March, controls at internal air and sea borders will be eliminated with those two countries – which joined the EU in 2007 -, with the commitment, in addition to Austria, Bulgaria and Romania, to later agree on the date of the end of ground controls, reported the current Spanish presidency of the Council of the EU.
Spanish satisfaction
Sources of Ministry of the Interior of Spain described the agreement – which culminates twelve years of negotiations – as “historical“and they assured that it was one of the priorities of the current presidency Spanish Council of the EU that concludes tomorrow.
They also stated that the progressive lifting of controls on the internal borders of Bulgaria and Romania will “strengthen and expand” the European free movement area and will facilitate the movement of millions of peoplewith “a very positive social and economic impact throughout the region.”
This has been the last agreement of the Council under the Spanish rotating presidency of the EU for the second half of 2023. Interior has assured that this agreement was one of the “priorities” of Fernando Grande-Marlaska’s department during the Spanish presidency. Furthermore, they have highlighted that this Spanish presidency and its negotiating determination have served to “overcome persistent reluctance and reach a fair and historic agreement.”
Congratulations from the EU
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyenhas highlighted that it is “a day of great pride for Bulgaria and Romania.” “It is a big step forward for them and for the Schengen area. They have worked hard for it. They both deserve it. “They are going to make the Schengen area even stronger,” she noted.
Also the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, has congratulated both countries. “A long-awaited step for Romanian and Bulgarian citizens who will enjoy easier freedom of movement with the prospect of it also being by land transport,” he published in X.
The European Commissioner for the Interior, Ylva Johansson, has expressed her “warm welcome” to the two countries after an agreement that “breaks a thirteen-year stagnation.” “It is now essential to build on this achievement and ensure that free movement by land is also achieved next year. I will continue to actively support the full access process in 2024,” she explained.
Also From Romania, President Klaus Iohannis has highlighted this “important first step”. “Romania’s priority will be the full implementation of Schengen reaching the last phase, the elimination of ground controls,” he stressed. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu joined in the congratulations. and the president of the Senate, Nicolae Ciuca.
“After thirteen years of failures and humiliations, this Government has begun a process that today is irreversible. Next year we will continue our efforts to definitively close this process,” Ciolacu highlighted.
Austria withdraws veto
Austria confirmed today the withdrawal of its veto to the agreement, which was already announced on Wednesday by Romania and, on Thursday, by Bulgaria.
He romanian prime minister, Marcel Ciolacuhad assured on Wednesday that the agreement would also include sea travel, which would benefit the port of Constanta on the Black Sea, and was confident that full accession would be negotiated in 2024.
Related news
Although the European Commission and European Parliament have been ensuring for years that Bulgaria and Romania, members of the EU since 2007, are prepared to enter Schengen, Austria had until now blocked their entry.
The Schengen Treaty establishes the lifting of border controls between its Member States, which currently cover 4.3 million square kilometers and 423 million citizens of 27 European countries (23 EU members and 4 non-EU members).