Romania and Bulgaria Join the Schengen Border-Free Zone
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Bucharest, Jan 1 (NationPress) Romania and Bulgaria have officially entered the Schengen Area as of Wednesday, which means the end of border checks with Hungary and between the two nations.
This development signifies their complete integration into Europe’s passport-free travel zone, with ceremonies held at significant border points, attended by high-ranking officials from both countries.
The Romanian Border Police announced that 40 border crossing locations are now functioning without checks, facilitating smoother travel and commerce in the region.
Travelers moving to or from other Schengen countries, except for Cyprus and Ireland, are no longer required to halt for document verification.
Nonetheless, authorities will conduct random checks within a 30-km border zone utilizing mobile devices and assessments based on risk, according to Xinhua news agency.
In October, Hungary had formally sought an exemption from the European Union’s (EU) asylum and migration regulations.
The request was submitted through a letter from the country’s Minister for European Union Affairs, Janos Boka, addressed to European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson.
In his letter, Boka indicated that Hungary aims to regain tighter national control over its migration policies, citing national security concerns and the necessity to address illegal migration as key reasons for the exemption. This request emerges amid discussions regarding a potential future amendment to EU treaties.
Boka noted that Hungary “will initiate the necessary procedures to this end,” stating it follows the example set by the Netherlands.
The Dutch government, led by the PVV party, announced on September 18 its intention to seek an opt-out from the EU’s migration regulations in the event of treaty renegotiation.
The Hungarian minister emphasized that the government is dedicated to taking decisive measures to safeguard its borders and mitigate illegal migration, which poses a threat to national security. However, he also reiterated Hungary’s commitment to the Schengen area.
“Hungary remains dedicated to the Schengen area, which has regrettably become fragmented due to prolonged and widely enforced internal border controls, instigated by illegal migration and security threats,” he remarked.
