The Schengen system, which offers free travel between European Union (EU) member countries, has expanded with the participation of Romania and Bulgaria. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced in her statement on social media that Romania and Bulgaria are now included in the Schengen Area.
Controls at Air and Sea Borders Removed
Von der Leyen stated that controls at the air and sea borders of the two countries have been abolished. This step will increase tourism potential and enable those with a Schengen visa to easily transit to these countries.
Benefits
Emphasizing that this development will benefit millions of EU citizens across Europe, Von der Leyen stated that the Schengen Area will become even stronger.
It is planned to remove controls at land borders
Ylva Johansson, the EU Commission member responsible for internal affairs, stated that controls at land borders will be removed in the next stage and this issue will be discussed in negotiations between member states.
- Romania was accepted as an EU member in 2007. The Schengen accession process was completed at the end of last year.
- Austria had long opposed the inclusion of Romania and Bulgaria in Schengen. However, at the end of last year, an agreement was reached and this process started.
