Romania and Bulgaria will join the Schengen area in January 2025. This was reported by Euractiv, according to UNN.
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This follows an important meeting to be held in Hungary this week, where the interior ministers of Austria, Romania and Bulgaria will discuss the completion of the integration process of the two countries into the European borderless zone.
Both countries have been part of the Schengen area by air and sea since March this year, after reaching a partial agreement with Austria. However, the issue of land borders remained unresolved until 2024. According to the Romanian Union of Road Hauliers, long queues form at the land borders with Hungary and Bulgaria, causing significant delays for drivers.
Economic losses from limited access to Schengen are significant: Romania estimates its annual losses at 10 billion euros and Bulgaria at 1 billion euros. The European Commission's official position is that both countries have already fulfilled the necessary conditions for full membership in the Schengen area, but the process has been blocked by the resistance of some countries.
Friday's meeting will be key to closing this issue, and Romania expects the move to boost economic growth. According to forecasts, joining the Schengen area will allow Romania to increase annual economic growth.
Several Schengen countries introduce border controls - Reuters10.09.24, 12:48