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Ursula von der Leyen is convinced Romania and Bulgaria will soon become full Schengen members
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is convinced that Romania and Bulgaria will soon become full members of the Schengen area, reports APA.
“You can count on us to strengthen borders more and we will convince Austria that Romania and Bulgaria deserve to be full Schengen members,” said the head of the Commission at a press conference following the EU summit held in Brussels on Thursday.
“EC has been certain for several years that Romania and Bulgaria are ready for Schengen,”von der Leyen pointed out.
EU has had a few projects with European financing in past months to consolidate borders in Romania and Bulgaria, and land missions, and that convinced Austria to make “the first steps for air and sea Schengen.”
The head of the Commission also said that additional resources to strengthen borders are provided in the multiannual EU budget established on Thursday.
EU states approved in December to remove controls for air and sea borders with Bulgaria and Romania in March 2024.
Talks about the elimination of controls at land borders continue and the matter will be among priorities of the future agenda of the EU interior ministers in March, APA informs.