The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has called on the European Union Council to set a date for full membership of Bulgaria and Romania in the Schengen Zone.
The advisory body of the European Union (EU) approved a draft opinion that was drafted by the Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA) vice-president, Maria Mincheva, which highlights the economic costs of keeping these two Balkan countries outside Schengen Area, Schengen.News reports.
Over €90 Million Financial Loss for Bulgaria for Remaining Outside Schengen
Bulgaria and Romania have been members of the Schengen Zone since March 31, 2024, but only partially. While these two countries entered Schengen by air and sea, land border controls are yet to be abolished.
However, remaining outside Schengen, in terms of land borders, is causing significant financial losses for both countries.
According to the draft opinion, Bulgaria faces a financial loss of €90 million per year due to transport delays driven by border controls and €2.32 billion in annual revenue loss for the road transport sector.
According to a study by the Economic Research Institute of the Bulgarian Academy of Science, mentioned in the draft document, Bulgaria is subject to more than €834 million financial losses per year for being outside Schengen in terms of land borders.
The document will be put to a final vote at the European Economic and Social Committee plenary session scheduled for next month. After that, it will be published in the EU’s Official Journal and formally submitted to the EU Council.
Decision on Bulgaria & Romania’s Full Accession to Be Taken Next Month, Romanian PM Said
The progress of Bulgaria and Romania on the full application of the Schengen acquis was discussed by the holder of the Presidency of the Council of the EU, Hungary, at the Justice and Home Affairs meeting of October 10, 2024, but no vote was included in this agenda.
Recently, the Prime Minister of Romania said that the Committee of Permanent Representatives in the European Union (COREPER) meeting in the Justice and Home Affairs Council on December 13 will decide on the full membership of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen Zone based on the vote of the COREPER. If the decision results positive, land border controls would be lifted by March 2025.
Source: https://schengen.news/eesc-calls-on-eu-council-for-full-schengen-accession-of-bulgaria-romania/
