The European Commission confirmed Today, its position is that Romania and Bulgaria are fully prepared for full accession to the Schengen area, Agerpress agency reports, referring to a spokesperson of the European Commission, quoted by BTA.
The speaker answered a question about how the introduction of checks at internal borders in Schengen will affect the process of expanding the area of free movement through the full integration of Romania and Bulgaria, including their land borders.
The European Commission's position is clear and was presented by President Ursula von der Leyen in the political guidelines for the next EU executive body: “Bulgaria and Romania have proven their capacity in managing borders and returning migrants. They are ready and should take full advantage of the Schengen area”, the spokesperson of the European Commission told Agerpress.
The Council will have to take a further decision to set the date for lifting internal land border checks between Bulgaria, Romania and the other Schengen countries. The Commission will continue to provide all necessary support to the Presidency of the Council to ensure that a decision on land borders can be taken in 2024, the EC spokesperson specified.
Romania and Bulgaria joined the Schengen area with their air and sea borders on March 31 of this year. The reason for the partial accession is the veto imposed by Austria – the only EU member state to express objections driven by fears of an influx of asylum seekers.
Ten days ago, Germany introduced checks at its land borders for a period of six months to combat illegal immigration. The German authorities had already introduced checks at the borders with some countries, and from September 16, these measures were extended to the borders with Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark, Agerpres recalls.
In order for Romania and Bulgaria to join the Schengen area and with their land borders, a new political decision of the EU Council on Justice and Home Affairs is needed, reminds Agerpress.
The Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Bulgaria, Yordanka Chobanova, said earlier this week that on October 10 the European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, together with the Minister of the Interior of Hungary, will propose to the Council of the EU the removal of land border checks. Chobanova expressed confidence that the decision will be made by the end of this year.