Balkans | Bulgaria and Romania are awaiting approval of their Schengen membership this year

The presidents of Bulgaria and Romania have stated that they are doing their part in the fight against illegal immigration, and expressed their hope that both countries will be accepted into the Schengen Area, the EU’s passport-free travel area, this year.

“Illegal immigration is artificially mixed into the Schengen issue,” said Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, during his visit to the Bulgarian capital, Sofia. He said.

“We are doing and will do everything we can to prevent illegal immigration,” Iohannis told the press after his meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart. But we are waiting for recognition of the right to be part of Schengen and we hope to get a positive vote this year, “he said.

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, who hosted Iohannis, said in a statement: “We have a shared responsibility for security in the region. The common primary goal of our countries is Schengen and we declare that we are ready to accept us as soon as possible.” Use phrases.

“We will work together to remove our barrier to Schengen and accelerate our collective participation,” Radev said.

Croatia, which was excluded from Schengen in late 2022 due to Austria’s concerns about unauthorized immigration, has joined the area from January 1, 2023.

Both countries deny Austria’s claims that it is a gateway for illegal immigrants to Europe.

euronews