European Commission spokesperson: Romania and Bulgaria ready to formally join Schengen
Romania and Bulgaria are ready to officially join Schengen, European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper announced on the Brussels institution's official Twitter page. She added that they are working closely with the Council presidency to make a decision as soon as possible, as both countries have met the accession criteria since 2011.
The European Commission's announcement came on the Day of Romanians Abroad, which is celebrated on 28 May.
"Both Romania and Bulgaria are ready to join the Schengen area and have fulfilled the criteria for doing so since 2011. Moreover, Romania and Bulgaria have been actors in the continuous and uninterrupted development of the Schengen role. The Commission's position is clear when it comes to Romania and Bulgaria joining Schengen together. These countries are fully ready to do so. According to the Treaties and the EU states, they have to become full members of the Schengen area", said Anitta Hipper.
At the same time, last week the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who was on an official visit to Romania, said that Romania's place is in the Schengen Area and that he is aware that there is a great expectation in Romania for full Schengen membership, notes digi24.
Romania has already tried to join the Schengen area at the end of 2022, but Austria blocked the whole process after using its veto.
The next Schengen Council will meet on 8 June.
