European Commissioner Magnus Brunner Reports Increased Traveler Flow in Schengen After Bulgaria’s Full Membership

KULATA-PROMAHON/SOFIA – The European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Bruner, highlighted Bulgaria’s achievement in becoming a full Schengen member, which has significantly increased traveler flow. During his visit to the “Kulata – Promahon” border crossing with Bulgarian Interior Minister Daniel Mitov and Greek Deputy Minister for Migration and Asylum Sevi Voludaki, the trio crossed into Greece, symbolizing borderless movement within Schengen.

Bruner emphasized that the external borders of Schengen extend beyond just Greece and Bulgaria, encompassing all of the European Union. He stressed the importance of ongoing improvement in Schengen through enhanced cooperation and policy implementation among member states. Future cooperative efforts will focus on migration challenges, the Migration Pact, and effective management strategies. We must prioritize organizing our European home and enhancing collaboration with third countries, Bruner stated.

Before this, Bruner met with Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov in Sofia to discuss the Migration and Asylum Pact, migration management, Bulgaria’s Schengen integration, and border security. Zhelyazkov reiterated that ensuring the EU’s external borders and curbing illegal migration are top priorities for Bulgaria. He noted the European Commission’s support for Bulgaria exceeding 300 million euros over the past three years for integrated border monitoring, high-mobility vehicles, and drones. Both Zhelyazkov and Bruner agreed that this investment is vital for Bulgaria and the EU’s overall security.

Zhelyazkov reported a sustainable reduction in migration pressure along the external border with Turkey since September 2023, asserting that strengthening the EU’s external borders should be a collective priority for all member states, not only those on the front lines.

In an interview with BTA prior to his visit, Bruner remarked that to sustain the achievements of the past 40 years for future generations, Schengen requires continuous renewal, with Bulgaria playing a significant role. He declared, “Schengen is one of the greatest accomplishments of our union, impacting over 450 million Europeans directly by promoting tourism, reducing costs of goods, and creating work and educational opportunities.” He noted that as summer approaches, millions of EU citizens will enjoy one of Schengen’s primary benefits: the ability to travel freely to other Schengen countries without extra bureaucracy, with Bulgarian citizens able to fully enjoy this freedom for the first time this year. (June 30)