Hungary's Minister Bóka: Full Schengen Accession for Romania and Bulgaria Remains a Key Priority

Hungary's Minister Bóka: Full Schengen Accession for Romania and Bulgaria Remains a Key Priority

Key Points on Romania and Bulgaria’s Schengen Accession

  1. Hungary’s Minister for European Union Affairs, János Bóka, emphasized that the full Schengen accession of Romania and Bulgaria is a priority for Hungary during its EU Council presidency.
  2. A decision may be reached at the EU interior ministers’ meeting on December 12, paving the way for full membership starting January 1, 2025.
  3. Austria’s recent support, combined with the Netherlands’ approval, has removed key obstacles to their Schengen integration.

Progress Towards Full Schengen Membership
Romania and Bulgaria partially joined the Schengen Area on March 31, 2024, allowing free movement via air and sea but not land borders. Despite meeting technical criteria since 2011, their full accession was delayed due to concerns over irregular migration and political opposition.

Breakthrough Agreement
At a meeting in Budapest on November 22, interior ministers from Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria agreed that there are no remaining barriers to full Schengen membership for the two countries. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban affirmed that all criteria have been met for their integration.

January 2025 Target Date
If endorsed by EU interior ministers in December, Romania and Bulgaria could fully join the Schengen Area by January 1, 2025, marking a significant step forward in their European integration. Since their accession is treated as a package deal, progress for one country ensures the same for the other.

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