countries European Union (EU) They agreed this Saturdayunanimously, Gradual entry of Romania and Bulgaria Following Austria, Austria, which was the last of the 27 countries opposing this measure in the Schengen free movement area, lifted its veto.
The decision, starting from March, Controls at the internal air and sea borders with these two countries will be removed. Spain, which holds the current presidency of the EU Council, said it had committed to reaching an agreement on the end date for ground controls at a later date, alongside Austria, Bulgaria and Romania.
“Congratulations to the citizens of Romania and Bulgaria on the extension of Schengen for sea and air transport passengers,” said Charles Michel, President of the European Council, via his profile on the social network X (formerly Twitter).
Michel pointed out that “A long-awaited step for Romanian and Bulgarian citizens to have easier freedom of movement“With the expectation that land transportation will also come.”
Sources from the Spanish Ministry of Internal Affairs described the agreement resulting from twelve years of negotiations as follows: “date” and they assured that This was one of the priorities of Spain’s presidency of the EU Council. It ends tomorrow.
They also stated that the gradual removal of controls at the internal borders of Bulgaria and Romania would “strengthen and expand” Europe’s area of free movement and facilitate the movement of millions of people, which “will have a very positive social and economic impact throughout the region.” ” “.
Austria confirmed this Saturday that its veto of the agreement had been withdrawnIt was announced by Romania on Wednesday and by Bulgaria on Thursday.
Prime Minister of Romania Marcel CiolacuHe had assured on Wednesday that the deal would also cover cruise travel, which would benefit Port of Constanta on the Black Seaand was confident that full accession would be negotiated in 2024.
Although the European Commission and the European Parliament have assured for years that Bulgaria and Romania, which have been EU members since 2007, are ready to enter Schengen, Austria has blocked the entry of these countries until now.
The Schengen Agreement establishes: Lifting border controls between Member StatesIt currently covers 4.3 million square kilometers and 423 million citizens of 27 European countries (23 EU and 4 non-EU).