ROMANIA AND BULGARIA EXPECTED TO ENTER SCHENGEN IN 2025
In the framework of the informal meeting of the EU Ministers of Interior last week, Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania issued a joint declaration paving the way for the lifting of checks on persons at Romania and Bulgaria’s internal land borders, formally applying the full Schengen acquis in both countries. Border checks between the two countries and other Schengen members were lifted in March 2024 for maritime and air traffic.
The full accession of Romania and Bulgaria to Schengen was vetoed by the Austrian government, citing issues related to illegal migration. The joint Declaration recognised that progress has been made on joint efforts to fight irregular migration and acknowledged a decrease of illegal movements as well as asylum applications on the relevant routes as a result of the jointly set measures. The signatories agreed to initiate the necessary steps for adoption of the formal Council decision on setting the date for the lifting of checks on persons at internal land borders of Bulgaria and Romania, which has been approved by the Coerper on 27 November.
The formal adoption of the decision is expected at the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 12 December, with its entry force scheduled for 1st January 2025. The Decision has been largely welcomed by the Parliament and the Commission during a debate in Plenary session this week.