„ Today we made sure that Bulgaria and Romania made a lot of efforts to get the Schengen membership by land. The contracts were very difficult because we had to discuss many problematic issues and find a common result. This is what Hungarian Minister of the Interior Sándor Pinter said after the key meeting in Budapest with his colleagues from Bulgaria, Romania and Austria, bTV reported.
„We took an additional step so that Bulgaria and Romania could be full members of Schengen. For this to happen, we need to put together a joint package to increase security in Europe and in the two new members. This package will be finalized and a decision will be made on December 12, Pinter said. One part of the package includes a total contingent of at least 100 border police officers on the Bulgarian-Turkish border.
„Everyone at this meeting commits to this – exactly what number we will agree on later. "Hungary is committed not only to send these 100 people, but to provide them with technical means to ensure the security of this border," Sándor Pinter specified. “There is an opportunity to finish this topic by December 31, and from January 1, with internal border control remaining, Bulgaria and Romania will become full members of the Schengen area”, said the Hungarian interior minister.
Austria's Interior Minister Gerhard Karner also praised the two countries for the work they have done in terms of border protection. “Since March last year, we have made great efforts with Bulgaria and Romania. We strengthened the borders and the fight against illegal human trafficking”, Karner said.
I welcome the positive results of the informal talks today in Budapest, wrote on the social network "X" the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on the occasion of the meeting of the Ministers of Internal Affairs of Bulgaria, Romania, Austria and Hungary, reported BTA.
The place of Bulgaria and Romania is in Schengen. The removal of land border controls is the final hurdle. The next stage is an official decision by the Council of the EU. Let 2025 brought a stronger Schengen, adds Von der Leyen. On December 12, the EU Council for Justice and Home Affairs is expected to vote at a meeting in Brussels on the abolition of checks at the Schengen land borders of Bulgaria and Romania. A year ago, the Council of the EU decided that Bulgaria and Romania should be admitted to Schengen, with air and sea border checks being abolished first.