Bulgaria should be integrated into the Schengen area according to a new European Commission strategy for “a stronger and more resilient Schengen area”, BNR’s Brussels correspondent Anguelina Piskova reports.

“Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, and Cyprus should fully benefit from Schengen,” said Ylva Julia Margareta Johansson, European Commissioner for Home Affairs. The Strategy calls upon the Council to decide on lifting controls for Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia, and integrate them into the Schengen area.

Bulgaria and Romania successfully completed the required evaluation in 2010 and 2011, the Strategy reads. According to the EC the new strategy will ensure “effective and modern management of the EU's external borders”.