European Parliament Supports Romania and Bulgaria’s Bid to Join Schengen Zone

European Parliament members have indicated strong support for the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Area, a network of states that permits free travel within its borders (Wikimedia Commons). 

On October 18, the European Parliament adopted a resolution recommending that Romania and Bulgaria be allowed into the European Union’s free-travel area “without delay.” The resolution earned an overwhelming majority of votes. 

The Schengen zone is a border-free area that allows free movement among countries in the European Union. The area is normally free of stationary border controls. The Schengen zone currently encompasses all EU countries with the exceptions of Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, and Romania. Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland, though not EU member states, are also included in the Schengen zone. Lawmakers have deemed the Schengen  “one of the greatest achievements of the European Union.” 

The members of parliament argue that the Council should make a decision on Romania and Bulgaria’s admission into the Schengen area by the end of 2022. According to Parliament this, “should ensure the abolition of checks on persons at all internal borders for both countries in early 2023.” 

Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Cicia stated that Romania’s expectations to join Schengen are “justified and legitimate” and welcomed support from the European Parliament. 

Romania and Bulgaria have long fulfilled the necessary conditions for joining the Schengen area. MEPs claim that the exclusion of these two states from the area is discriminatory and negatively affects the lives of its workers and citizens. They also argue that this exclusion harms EU markets as it obstructs “imports, exports and the free flow of goods from freight ports.” 

Some EU member states, such as Germany and France, have voiced concerns about the potential addition to the Schengen zone. Among their concerns are judicial reforms, the fight against corruption, and the fight against organized crime. 

This is not the first time that the parliament has called for Bulgaria and Romania’s admittance to the Schengen area: similar calls came in 2018, 2020, and 2021. The last Council vote to accept Bulgaria and Romania was 11 years ago, but Dutch and Finnish representatives vetoed the move. Bulgaria and Romania have had a hybrid border control situation since then. 

In order for a country to gain admittance into the area, the Council of the EU must reach a unanimous decision. The Czech Republic, which holds the presidency over the Council, has indicated that it will hold discussions on this issue by the end of 2022. 

Currently, Bulgaria and Romania are some of the only EU member states not part of the border-free area. Croatia is currently also on its way to joining the Schengen area.