At a meeting in Budapest on Friday, the interior ministers of Hungary, Austria, Bulgaria, and Romania announced plans to “initiate the necessary steps” toward setting a date for lifting land border checks with Romania and Bulgaria. However, this agreement comes with the condition that joint efforts to combat irregular migration continue. Their joint declaration also stated that border checks between Hungary and Romania, as well as Romania and Bulgaria, would remain in place for at least six months to address any potential threats to public order or internal security.
This development raises hopes that during a December 12 meeting, ministers might agree to lift land border controls with the two countries. European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson expressed optimism, stating her hope that January 1 would be chosen as the effective start date for these changes.
According to Johansson, both Romania and Bulgaria “have fulfilled all criteria — and beyond.” She pointed out that overall irregular migration to the EU has dropped by 40 percent, with an 80 percent reduction along the Western Balkan route. Additionally, there have been “no hiccups” since air borders were opened.
Austria’s continued veto of Romania and Bulgaria’s full Schengen membership has drawn criticism from the two countries, as they argue that ongoing border checks have caused significant economic disruptions. Long queues, delayed deliveries, and other supply chain issues have reportedly dealt blows to both nations’ economies.
The renewed momentum toward full Schengen membership comes at a politically significant moment for Romania’s Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, who is running for president. Ciolacu, leading in polls ahead of this Sunday’s first round of voting, emphasized the economic benefits of full accession.
“Romanians have already felt the benefits of partial entry into the Schengen Area, but Romanian economic growth will be boosted with full accession, including by land,” Ciolacu said in remarks on Friday.
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