Thomas Truchel/Phototech/Getty Images
Bucharest cityscape on July 15, 2022.
CNN
—
The European Council has decided to expand the border-free Schengen Area to include Bulgaria and Romania, the Council’s Spanish Presidency announced on Saturday.
According to a statement from the European Commission, restrictions on air and sea borders will be lifted in March 2024, and discussions on lifting restrictions on land borders will continue in the new year.
The commission welcomed both countries, saying, “With the expansion of the Schengen area, the EU will become stronger both internally and globally.”
According to the European Commission, the Schengen Area currently provides unrestricted movement within the territory of 26 countries (of which 22 are EU member states) and is home to more than 400 million people, making it the world’s largest It is a free movement area.
The European Commission also announced that the decision to add Bulgaria and Romania was unanimously approved by the European Council, which will confirm the readiness of both countries to join the Schengen Agreement in 2022 and 2023. He also mentioned that he had sent multiple “fact-finding missions” to the border.
Charles Michel, President of the European Council, sent his congratulations to Romania and Bulgaria via “It’s a step forward,” he said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the decision “a historic moment for Bulgaria and Romania.” And a day of great pride for the peoples of Romania and Bulgaria… This is a huge step forward for both countries and for the entire Schengen area. ”
Romania and Bulgaria also welcomed the decision, with Romanian Foreign Minister Ruminita Odovescu writing that X was “an important achievement for the Romanian people.” We would like to thank all her EU partners and institutions for their support. Romania remains committed to a strong and secure Schengen Area. ”
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis echoed the foreign minister’s comments, calling X “an important step in the interests of the Romanian people.”
Meanwhile, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel posted on X: “Today, the Schengen area is stronger with Bulgaria and Romania.”