The Prime Minister of Romania, Marcel Ciolacu, has said that Romania will become a member of the Schengen Area in terms of land border starting from January 1, 2025.
His comments came in a joint statement with his counterpart from Hungary, Viktor Orban, in Budapest, Schengen.News reports.
Romania and Bulgaria are a package deal on their journey towards Schengen membership. Therefore, the full Schengen accession of Rumania means also the same for Bulgaria.
The Romanian PM met on Friday, November 22, with his counterpart from Hungary as part of the visit he is making to Budapest on the occasion of the meeting held today between the interior ministers from Austria, Bulgaria, Romania and the host country Hungary, which is the holder of the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Among the topics of the working meeting held today between the interior ministers was also the development of a joint package and additional measures of full Schengen integration for Romania and Bulgaria.
Austria Lifts Veto on Schengen Accession of Romania & Bulgaria
Romania and Bulgaria became part of the Schengen Area by air and sea on March 31, 2024, but Austria opposed the land border accession over irregular migration concerns.
However, today, Austria has finally agreed to lift its veto on the membership of Romania and Bulgaria to the EU’s visa-free travel area.
A Hungarian spokesperson said that in the meeting hosted today by Hungary with the interior ministers of Austria, Romania, and Bulgaria, a joint agreement was reached that paved the way for land border accession for Romania and Bulgaria.
The decision abolishes the last obstacle to the finalisation of this process.
Orban: All Criteria Has Been Met for Full Schengen Accession
In a press conference held with the Prime Minister of Romania and the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban said that all criteria have been met for the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Zone.
In addition, Hungarian Interior Minister Sandor Pinter said today that the two Balkan countries have made significant progress in gaining full membership.
A final decision regarding the finalisation of this issue is expected at the following EU Council for Justice and Home Affairs meeting on December 12, in which a vote is also included on the agenda.
The European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, who also participated in the ministerial meeting, said the vote could be anticipated for December 12-13. She expressed her hopes that by January 2025, the controls at land borders would be completely removed.
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, also welcomed the new decision, stressing that “a stronger Schengen means a stronger Europe.”
Source: https://schengen.news/romania-bulgaria-to-enter-schengen-on-january-1-2025/
