Romania and Bulgaria officially join EU's Schengen area

(CLO) Romania and Bulgaria removed land border controls today, officially becoming full members of the European Union (EU)'s Schengen travel-free zone.

This accession expands the bloc of countries whose residents can move freely without passport checks.

Flags of Romania and Bulgaria. Illustration photo: AI

The celebrations took place near the Bulgarian border town of Ruse shortly after midnight. The Interior Ministers of Bulgaria and Romania jointly raised the symbolic barrier on the Friendship Bridge over the Danube River, marking the historic moment. The bridge is a vital route for international trade and is often blocked.

"This is a historic moment," said Bulgarian Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev. "From Greece in the south to Finland in the north and as far as Portugal in the west – you can travel without border barriers."

Checks on flights and ships between Bulgaria, Romania and the Schengen countries were lifted from March 2024. However, land border controls remained in place until Austria, which had previously opposed the move, lifted its veto in December 2024. The main reason for this opposition was concerns about illegal migration.

The Schengen Area was originally established in 1985, when countries such as France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg began removing internal border controls. It currently includes 25 of the 27 EU member states, along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Ireland and Cyprus are not yet members of the Schengen Area.

Romania and Bulgaria joining Schengen is not only a big step forward for European integration, but will also boost trade and tourism in the region. The Friendship Bridge over the Danube, one of the most important crossing points, will no longer be interrupted by border checks, easing pressure and facilitating the flow of goods.

Cao Phong (according to Euronews, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/romania-va-bulgaria-chinh-thuc-gia-nhap-khu-vuc-schengen-cua-chau-au-post328610.html