A European news outlet focused on EU politics, headquartered in Brussels, reports that airport border controls will be lifted in two countries in October, and land border checkpoints will also cease to operate from January 2024.
There is only one “reservation”. Brussels is ready to accept both states into Schengen if “they show activity to continue the reforms.” Thus, the biggest obstacle to Bulgaria and Romania's path to Schengen membership, the objections of the Netherlands, which had vetoed accession for years, have been removed.
Last December, European Union interior ministers supported Croatia's accession to the Schengen zone, but Austria and the Netherlands voted against the inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania, citing problems of illegal migration.
In May 2023, the European Commission called on the Council to allow these Balkan countries to become members of the Schengen area by the end of the year.
In April, more than 100 youth organizations from European countries called for Bulgaria and Romania to join the Schengen. During the General Assembly of the European Youth Forum, which was held in Brussels, a document was adopted entitled: “Freedom of movement for all: Romania and Bulgaria in the Schengen area”.
The environmental aspect was also brought under the right answer: volume CO2 emissions from road traffic stuck in traffic jams at the border with the Schengen area is more than 46,000 tons per year.