Bulgaria and Romania will partially integrate the EU's Schengen free movement area from March 31, the 27 member states announced this evening.
A statement from Brussels said that European countries have unanimously decided to abolish controls at the air and sea borders of these two states from the date corresponding to the transition from winter to summer flight schedules envisaged by the International Air Transport Association (Iata). corresponds. The 27 must take a new decision to set the date for abolishing controls at the EU land borders of Romania and Bulgaria, the European Council communication said.
The European Commission welcomed this decision, which came after twelve years of negotiations. “Today is a historic moment for Bulgaria and Romania and a great pride for their citizens,” President Ursula von der Leyen said in a press release. The European Commission recalled that since 2011 it had assumed that these two countries were ready to join the Schengen area.
Austria used the veto last year to protest over too many illegal immigrants on its territory, before agreeing to lift it in exchange for guarantees. Sofia and Bucharest agreed to take stronger action against illegal immigration in a joint declaration signed with Vienna yesterday.
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