The current situation in Eastern Europe has prompted thousands of people to take to the roads of neighboring countries such as France. Moldova or the Romania. This strong exodus has an impact on Balkan countriesAt the same time, many exiles from Africa, the Near East and the Middle East are crossing the region on their way to Europe. At the same time, the external borders of the Schengen area are being reinforced, with the deployment of additional contingents for the Frontex corps, which should reach 10,000 coastguards and border guards by 2027.
Extension of the Schengen zone: Croatia admitted, Bulgaria and Romania by the end of 2023
While the Croatia joined the European Schengen area of free movement on January 1, 2023. Romania and the BulgariaBut they had to wait. The Council of the European Union, which represents the countries of the Union, is discussing a project to extend the Schengen zone, which would allow borderless travel between 26 countries, most of them EU members, and which today numbers 420 million people.
Croatia: fast-track accession to the Schengen area
Croatia joined the EU in 2013Romania and Bulgaria have been members since 2007. In just a few months, Zagreb achieved two diplomatic victories: membership of the euro zone as the 20th state and entry into the Schengen area. The decision prompted contrasting reactions, notably from European Commissioner Ylva Johansson, who expressed her disappointment at Romania and Bulgaria's refusal to join the Schengen area.
Austria and the Netherlands opposed the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area
According to Euractivborder controls at Romanian and Bulgarian airports will be abolished in Octoberwhile ground controls will no longer be carried out from january 2024. According to Bulgarian sources, Brussels is preparing to integrate the two states into the border-free area in October of this year, if they demonstrate their desire to pursue reforms.
Austria and the Netherlands complain of a failing Schengen system and refuse to accept Romania and Bulgaria as members. In Vienna's view, these two countries do not meet the criteria required to join this area of free movement. This Austrian position illustrates the difficulties encountered by the European Union in reaching a consensus on the extension of the Schengen zone and the requirements linked to border and security management.
At the beginning of the month, Nickolay Denkovthe Bulgarian Prime Minister, said that his cabinet would continue to work to ensure that the long-awaited process would be completed by the end of the year, bringing significant changes to the management of border controls.
He also declared that he would set up a "campaign against false information about Bulgaria“.
In April this year, over 100 youth groups from European states called for Bulgaria and Romania to join the Schengen area. At the General Assembly of the European Youth Forum (YFJ) held in Brussels, several organizations, including the Romanian Youth Counciladopted a motion entitled "Freedom of movement for all : Romania and Bulgaria in the Schengen zone“.
Towards a new Schengen area?
Faced with these divergences and the current challenges, some European leaders are calling for a rethinking of the Schengen area. French President Emmanuel Macron, in particular, is championing this idea, calling for stronger external borders and improved police cooperation between member countries. By 2023, full interoperability of air passenger check-in information systems should also be in place.
What are the implications for Bulgaria and Romania?
For Bulgaria and Romania, integration into the Schengen area represents a major challenge in terms of mobility and exchanges with other member countries. Accession will facilitate travel and strengthen economic and political ties within the European Union.. However, it would also mean greater responsibility for border management and the fight against terrorism and cross-border crime.
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