Bulgaria and Romania partially join Europe’s Schengen area
After a 13-year wait, Bulgaria and Romania have partially joined Europe’s Schengen area of free movement.
The two countries reached an agreement late last year to join the continent’s free-travel area by air and sea after Austria opposed full membership, including land crossings, saying Romania and Bulgaria needed to do more to prevent irregular migration.
Despite the partial membership, lifting controls at the two countries’ air and sea borders on Sunday has significant practical and symbolic value.
“Of course this is a very beautiful achievement for Bulgaria which makes things easier for us, as Bulgarians,” said Mincho Yurukov, who arrived at Sofia airport from Berlin on Sunday.
“Also, we feel like Europeans. That is a very important thing, the flight is much nicer, no checks.”
Created in 1985, the Schengen area allows more than 400 million people in the European Union to travel freely without internal border controls.
As partial members, the Schengen zone now comprises 29 members – 25 of the 27 EU member states as well as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
“I welcome the lifting of internal air and sea border checks. This is a great success for both countries,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement.
“Together, we are building a stronger, more united Europe for all our citizens,” she said.
Calls for extension
While some travellers have reason to celebrate, truck drivers, faced with long queues at borders with their European neighbours, feel left out.
