In a significant announcement from the European Council, Bulgaria and Romania are set to become full members of the Schengen Area beginning January 1. This development will result in the removal of land border controls between these countries and other Schengen states, including Bulgaria’s border with Greece and Romania’s border with Hungary. The decision arrives 18 years after both nations joined the European Union, and marks a notable achievement for Sofia and Bucharest, which have battled various concerns regarding illegal immigration and border security that delayed their accession until now. The Hungarian presidency of the EU echoed the sentiment, labeling this as a “historic moment” that promises benefits not just for Bulgarian and Romanian citizens, but also for the entire European Union.
Romania’s Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu articulated the significance of the Schengen membership for the country, describing it as a longstanding strategic objective. He emphasized a commitment to responsibly managing and reinforcing the EU’s external borders to mitigate illegal migration issues effectively. Bulgaria and Romania, which joined NATO in addition to becoming EU members back in 2007, had their Schengen ambitions thwarted in the past by various hurdles, including critical assessments around corruption and overall border control. The situation was exacerbated by the surge of the European refugee crisis in 2015, during which various EU nations became cautious about expanding the Schengen zone under the prevailing pressures.
Despite Austria’s previous resistance to Bulgaria and Romania’s Schengen inclusion—primarily driven by concerns over the influx of refugees via the Western Balkans route—the two nations achieved a breakthrough in March 2023, when Austria allowed for partial admission by lifting air and maritime border checks. However, land border restrictions persisted, showcasing Austria’s apprehension towards the issues of migration and security. Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner stated in November that improvements in border safety had led to a significant decrease in illegal migrant arrivals from both countries, thus highlighting the effectiveness of intensified border management.
The European Council’s determination on December 10 that Bulgaria and Romania met the requisite criteria for complete Schengen entry reflects the progress made in addressing the concerns that had previously hindered their membership. Established in 1985, the Schengen Zone functions as the largest expanse devoid of internal border controls globally, comprising 29 members including 25 of the 27 EU nations, along with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. The impending membership for Bulgaria and Romania not only symbolizes a resolution to longstanding debates surrounding their EU integration but also reaffirms the principles of free movement which are integral to the Schengen agreement.
Amid these developments, Romania was recently thrust into the spotlight following its Constitutional Court’s annulment of the results from the first round of the presidential election. Held on December 1, the election saw independent candidate Calin Georgescu, noted for his critical stance towards both NATO and the EU, emerge as a surprising victor over liberal leftist candidate Elena Lasconi. The annulment was attributed to claims of “irregularities,” alongside allegations of foreign interference from Russia, which Moscow has vehemently denied as “absolutely groundless.” The need for a rerun of the initial electoral round adds a layer of complexity to Romania’s political landscape, interweaving it with the broader context of the country’s Schengen accession.
Overall, the inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen Zone represents both a culmination of years of attempts to join and a forward-thinking approach to handling security and migration challenges in Europe. The European Council’s decision is expected to yield positive ramifications for trade, travel, and cultural exchanges between these countries and other European nations in the absence of border restrictions. While concerns surrounding illegal migration and cross-border crime remain pertinent, the hope is that Bulgaria and Romania’s entry into Schengen can strengthen collaborative efforts to fortify the EU’s borders, making the region more secure while fostering integration and cooperation among member states.
