The European Parliament (EP) will again insist on the full membership of Bulgaria and Romania in the Schengen area, the Institution reports in the agenda for its session next week in Strasbourg.
On November 26, the EP will discuss the topic together with the European Commission (EC).
Even though Bulgaria and Romania were formally admitted to Schengen in December 2022, checks at the land borders of both countries have not yet been abolished. MEPs are expected to call on the EU Council to finalize the process for their full accession.
Expected decisions and steps:
- Vote on 12 December: The Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the EU has confirmed that the issue will be discussed at the meeting of EU interior ministers.
- Bilateral meeting in Budapest: Representatives of Bulgaria, Romania and Austria will meet before the vote, with Austria the only country to object to full accession last year.
According to the statements of the Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Cholaku and the Bulgarian Acting Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev, there is optimism that the positive decision will enter into force in the first months of 2024.
Joining Schengen would eliminate border checks and facilitate the free movement of people and goods between the two countries and the rest of the Schengen area.