From the end of March 2024 the control of air and sea borders is abolished with the countries of the Schengen area. This was voted unanimously by the Council of the European Union (EU). 30.12.2023 late evening. Earlier in the day, Austria lifted its veto on the admission of Bulgaria and Romania to Schengen, and a week before that, the Dutch parliament lifted its long-standing veto against Bulgaria. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Justice.
In its decision, the Council committed to working to eliminate inspections and at land borders in the Schengen area.
The Prime Minister: Bulgaria enters Schengen by air and sea, negotiations will also be held on the land borders
In joint tripartite declaration with Austria the commitments of Bulgaria and Romania to strengthen the functioning of Schengen were also outlined. Separately, the European Commission (EC) with its declaration undertook to support Bulgaria and Romania in the protection of the external borders of the EU. Bulgaria will receive significant financial support from the European Commission, as well as operational and technical assistance from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX) along the Bulgarian-Turkish and Bulgarian-Serbian borders.
Contrary to the misinformation spread in recent days, Bulgaria does not accept additional conditions, related to refugees from Syria and Afghanistan. Bulgaria undertakes to work together with Austria and Romania to limit secondary movements in compliance with European legislation. This includes strict implementation of the Dublin Regulation and readmission of persons registered as seeking international protection in Bulgaria and for whom Bulgaria is responsible. This obligation under the Dublin Regulation has been directly applicable in each Member State since 2013 and is linked to the rule on the responsibility of the country of first entry into the EU. The commitment that is being made is for enhanced cooperation with an accelerated pace of work and without unnecessary formalities. Bulgaria does not and cannot accept persons for whom it is not responsible.
With the tripartite declaration, a commitment is made in 2024 to discuss a date and for the abolition of land border controls.
The member states of the Schengen area, for which internal air and sea border controls will be abolished from March 2024, are all Schengen members – Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Latvia , Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, respectively, and Romania.
*According to the Dublin Regulation asylum seekers can’t choose the country in which to grant them protection and their application should be processed by the Member State solely responsible.
2023-12-30 21:10:00
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