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

Bulgaria and Romania remain outside Schengen

| updated on 12/8/22 6:12 PM
Photo: European Council

Only Croatia will be admitted to the Schengen area from January 1, while Bulgaria and Romania remain outside the open travel zone. In today's vote in the EU Council, Austria has blocked the accession of Romania and Bulgaria into Schengen, while the Netherlands supported Romania's bid but opposed Bulgaria's
25 countries voted in favour of Bulgaria. Earlier it was reported that during the discussion the Netherlands had requested a new report on Bulgaria under the Cooperation and Verification and Mechanism (CVM). Introduced upon the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU, the CVM aimed to bring the two countries in line with EU standards in rule of law. The mechanism was lifted in 2019. The information was provided by BNR correspondent in Brussels Angelina Piskova.
Bulgaria has never had more support for Schengen. Foreign Minister Nikolay Milkov said the issue would be raised at upcoming meetings with the European Union. He expects a new positive decision on Bulgaria's accession to Schengen in March

"The issue is political", caretaker Minister of Interior Ivan Demerdzhiev said with regard to the decision of Austria and the Netherlands to stop Bulgaria for Schengen. In his view, the Netherlands’ position is not constructive. "For the time being, Bulgaria will not take reciprocal measures", Minister Demerdzhiev said.



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

Sunny weather in most of Bulgaria on Thursday, with fog near rivers

Overnight it will be clear. The wind will die down in most areas. After midnight along the Danube River, in lowlands and near rivers fogs will form and visibility will be reduced with low clouds. Minimum temperatures will be between minus 3°C and 2°C,..

published on 11/27/24 7:25 PM

EU ambassadors reach agreement on Bulgaria’s entry into Schengen by land

The ambassadors of the EU Member States have reached a preliminary agreement on the draft decision to abolish checks at internal land borders for Bulgaria and Romania. This is planned to happen on January 1, 2025. The decision is expected to be finally..

published on 11/27/24 5:45 PM

Shopping malls vow to step up security after series of aggressive acts

Shopping malls in Sofia and across the country will increase the number of security guards where needed. Additional panic buttons are also to be put in place if retailers wish, the Bulgarian Retail Association said. Groups of suspicious persons will be..

published on 11/27/24 4:44 PM