Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Von der Leyen wants Bulgaria, Romania in Schengen "witout further delay"

Photo: EPA/BGNES / Photo: ЕПА/БГНЕС

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged EU countries to immediately accept Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen area in her annual State of the Union address. "They have proved it: Bulgaria and Romania are part of our Schengen area. So let us finally bring them in – without any further delay," she insisted before the MEPs in Strasbourg. She thanked the two countries for their leading role in implementing best practices in the field of asylum and return.

"We have been waiting for this call from Ursula von der Leyen. We all expect member states to comply with it," Bulgarian Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel commented from Strasbourg. "As far as the Netherlands is concerned, the European Commission's request was a decisive step. Bulgaria must show the Netherlands a long-term commitment to the rule of law. I believe that with the work of the government and parliament over the last three months, Bulgaria has made a clear commitment that we can rely on. Austria is not opposed to the accession of Bulgaria and Romania," Gabriel added.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Military convoys will pass through the country to take part in large-scale NATO exercise

Starting today until Tuesday, military convoys will move through the country to participate in NATO’s Steadfast Dart 2025 exercise on the territory of Romania. The alliance is expected to deploy 10,000 soldiers on its eastern flank..

published on 1/12/25 11:09 AM

Sofia Municipality provides “Big Brother/Sister” to children in social institutions

A program of the Sofia Municipality called “Big Brother/Sister” will provide support, friendship and inspiration to children in family-type accommodation centers, the municipal administration announced. “With a little..

published on 1/12/25 9:55 AM

Snow and lower temperatures expected on Sunday

On Saturday night, the weather situation in the country will deteriorate. There will be snowfall in Southern Bulgaria, the Pre-Balkans and the Ludogorie region. Significant precipitation is expected in Southwestern Bulgaria and the southern slopes of..

published on 1/11/25 5:20 PM