Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Council of the EU agrees to remove air and maritime internal border controls with Bulgaria and Romania

Photo: archive

Late last night, the Council of the European Union confirmed that Bulgaria and Romania will join the Schengen area, starting with air and sea borders. The Commission welcomed the unanimous decision by the Council to welcome Romania and Bulgaria into the Schengen area, starting with lifting controls at air and sea borders as of March 2024.

European Council President Charles Michel wrote on the social network X: “Congratulations to Romania and Bulgaria on the extension of Schengen for maritime and air transport passengers. A long awaited step for Romanian and Bulgarian citizens to enjoy easier freedom of movement with the perspective of land transport to come.”

''Today is a day of great pride for Bulgaria and Romania. The decision to lift internal air and sea border checks with Bulgaria and Romania is a major step forward for them and for the Schengen area. Both have worked hard for it. They both deserve it. They will make Schengen even stronger’’, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

Discussions on a date for a possible lifting of the checks on persons at internal land borders will continue in 2024 and a decision by the Council on this matter is expected to be taken within a reasonable time frame, the European Commission wrote. To assist Bulgaria and Romania in protecting the external borders of the Union, substantial financial support and Frontex assistance will continue to be provided, the Commission wrote further.



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

Summer temperatures on Thursday

Thursday will be mostly sunny. Here will be light easterly wind. The highest temperatures will be between 26° and 31°C; in Sofia – around 27°C. It will be mostly sunny in the mountains , with some cumulus clouds in the..

published on 9/25/24 6:50 PM

President Rumen Radev calls for peace in Ukraine and Gaza

"Our world is facing a number of complex problems, from the unprecedented challenge to global peace and security to the escalating climate crisis and ongoing inequalities", President Rumen Radev said in his address to the UN General Assembly,..

published on 9/25/24 6:18 PM

Central Election Commission draws the parties' and coalitions' numbers on the ballots for the October 27 elections

The Central Election Commission held a draw to determine the order in which the parties and coalitions will appear on the ballot for the early parliamentary elections on October 27. GERB-SDS will participate in the elections under № 18, the Alliance..

published on 9/25/24 5:24 PM