Schengen: Dutch poised to say no to Bulgaria, yes to Romania
2 years ago

Schengen: Dutch poised to say no to Bulgaria, yes to Romania

Dutch News  

The Netherlands will support Romania and Croatia’s accession to the Schengen zone at next week’s meeting in Brussels but will say no to Bulgaria, ministers decided at Friday’s cabinet meeting. Prime minister Mark Rutte told a press conference on Friday afternoon that the decision not to support Bulgaria’s membership of Schengen is based on fact, and is not a political decision. Appeal Last month, Bulgarian MEPs appealed to prime minister Mark Rutte to let their country, as well as Romania and Croatia, join the Schengen area on January 1, 2023. The last vote was in October, when MEPs said that maintaining internal border controls for Romania and Bulgaria is ‘discriminatory’ and has a ‘serious impact on the lives of mobile workers and citizens.

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History of this topic

Netherlands will block Serbia’s next step towards EU membership
1 week, 2 days ago

Netherlands will block Serbia’s next step towards EU membership

NL Times  

Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp announced that the Netherlands will block the next steb of Serbia’s progression toward European Union membership, citing concerns about the country’s readiness for the next stage in the accession process. "We see that there is insufficient progress in the area of ​​the rule of law in Serbia," Veldkamp told reporters. Last week, during a parliamentary …

Romania and Bulgaria to fully join Schengen area in January 2025
Trending News
1 week, 5 days ago

Romania and Bulgaria to fully join Schengen area in January 2025

Dutch News  

Romania and Bulgaria will become full members of the open border Schengen area from January 1 2025, EU home affairs ministers decided on Thursday. NOS reported that PVV MP Marina Vondeling called the expansion of the Schengen area “irresponsible”, saying the removal of land border controls for Bulgaria and Romania would lead to “more asylum seekers, migration and corruption.” She …

Romania and Bulgaria to join Schengen free-travel area from Jan. 1
1 week, 5 days ago

Romania and Bulgaria to join Schengen free-travel area from Jan. 1

Hindustan Times  

Dec 12 - Romania and Bulgaria will become full members of Europe's Schengen free-travel area from next month, swelling the number of nations to 29, the EU said on Thursday. Romania and Bulgaria to join Schengen free-travel area from Jan. 1 Checks at land borders with Bulgaria and Romania will stop from Jan. 1 after Austria dropped a veto it …

Schengen: Two more countries added to ID-check free travel area
1 week, 5 days ago

Schengen: Two more countries added to ID-check free travel area

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy European Union ministers have agreed to let Bulgaria and Romania join Europe’s ID-check free travel zone, …

EU lets Bulgaria and Romania fully integrate into Europe’s ID-check free travel zone
Top News
1 week, 5 days ago

EU lets Bulgaria and Romania fully integrate into Europe’s ID-check free travel zone

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — European Union ministers on Thursday agreed to let Bulgaria and Romania fully integrate into Europe’s ID-check free travel zone, known as the Schengen area, by lifting land border controls from next year, the EU’s Hungarian presidency said. “Interior ministers have just adopted a decision to lift internal land border controls with and between Bulgaria and Romania,” the Hungarian …

EU approves full Schengen membership for Bulgaria, Romania
1 week, 6 days ago

EU approves full Schengen membership for Bulgaria, Romania

Al Jazeera  

Approval comes after Austria lifted its veto, claiming its demands on tackling illegal immigration had been met. Hungarian Minister of the Interior Sandor Pinter, whose country holds the EU’s rotating presidency, heralded the accession of the two countries as a “historic moment” at a gathering of ministers on Thursday. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis called accession a “natural and necessary step” …

Dutch far-right asylum minister will not block Bulgaria, Romania from joining Schengen
2 weeks ago

Dutch far-right asylum minister will not block Bulgaria, Romania from joining Schengen

NL Times  

The Netherlands remains in favor of lifting European border controls with Bulgaria and Romania. Asylum and Migration Minister Marjolein Faber, the Cabinet member responsible for this policy, is ignoring a last attempt from her own party, the PVV, to block these plans. Faber also does not like the fact that Bulgaria and Romania are joining the Schengen Area. The PVV …

Bulgaria, Romania closer to full status of Schengen
Trending News
1 month ago

Bulgaria, Romania closer to full status of Schengen

China Daily  

People stand in front of the Euro sculpture in Frankfurt, Germany, Aug 22, 2022. Romania and Bulgaria are expected to become full members of the passport-free Schengen Area after Austria agreed to lift its long-held veto in a move applauded by EU leaders. Romania and Bulgaria were granted partial Schengen status when passport checks to other Schengen countries were removed …

Bulgaria, Romania closer to full status of Schengen
Trending News
1 month ago

Bulgaria, Romania closer to full status of Schengen

China Daily  

By CHEN WEIHUA in Brussels | China Daily Global | Updated: 2024-11-25 08:58 People stand in front of the Euro sculpture in Frankfurt, Germany, Aug 22, 2022. Romania and Bulgaria are expected to become full members of the passport-free Schengen Area after Austria agreed to lift its long-held veto in a move applauded by EU leaders. Romania and Bulgaria were …

Schengen Visa: Travellers to Europe could visit two more countries from Jan 2025; check details
1 month ago

Schengen Visa: Travellers to Europe could visit two more countries from Jan 2025; check details

Live Mint  

Romania and Bulgaria are likely to become full members of the Schengen Area by January 2025, reported Economic Times quoting Hungarian officials. This development is set to take place after years of partial inclusion, with the two Balkan countries joining the European Union in 2007 but not gaining full access to the Schengen Area until March 2023. The Schengen area …

More nations may become full Schengen zone members: Here's what it means for your visa
1 month ago

More nations may become full Schengen zone members: Here's what it means for your visa

Firstpost  

The European Commission has endorsed two more nations’ readiness for full membership, noting their adherence to Schengen standards after thorough investigations The Schengen visa could soon allow travel to and from Romania and Bulgaria by land as well. While the Bulgaria and Romania partly entered the zone in March 2024, allowing unrestricted air and maritime travel with the 27 other …

Bulgaria and Romania 'one step closer' to full membership in Schengen zone, Hungary says
1 month ago

Bulgaria and Romania 'one step closer' to full membership in Schengen zone, Hungary says

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Bulgaria and Romania could become …

Bulgaria and Romania ‘one step closer’ to full membership in Schengen zone, Hungary says
1 month ago

Bulgaria and Romania ‘one step closer’ to full membership in Schengen zone, Hungary says

Associated Press  

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Bulgaria and Romania could become full members of Europe’s Schengen travel zone starting at the beginning of 2025, Hungarian officials said on Friday. Hungary’s Interior Minister Sándor Pintér said Friday that Romania and Bulgaria, which both have borders with countries outside the EU, are now “one step closer to becoming full Schengen members.” He added that there …

Will Bulgaria joining the Schengen area affect me?
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Will Bulgaria joining the Schengen area affect me?

The Independent  

Q I live in the UK and have a property in Bulgaria. Name supplied A One of the many consequences of Brexit for British citizens – particularly those who own property in the EU – is the UK’s demand to be subject to the “90/180-day” rule. Until the start of April, British visitors could spend an additional 90 days in …

Two countries join Europe’s Schengen travel zone – what it means for holidays
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Two countries join Europe’s Schengen travel zone – what it means for holidays

The Independent  

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Two countries have partially joined Europe’s ID-check-free travel zone on Sunday, marking a new step in …

Romania and Bulgaria partially join Europe’s Schengen travel zone, but checks at land borders remain
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Romania and Bulgaria partially join Europe’s Schengen travel zone, but checks at land borders remain

Associated Press  

SOFIA, Bulgaria — Romania and Bulgaria partially joined Europe’s ID-check-free travel zone on Sunday, marking a new step in the two countries’ integration with the European Union. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the change as a “huge success for both countries” and a “historic moment” for what is the world’s largest free travel zone. Austria vetoed Romania …

Bulgaria and Romania partially join Europe’s Schengen area
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Bulgaria and Romania partially join Europe’s Schengen area

Al Jazeera  

Schengen rules are not yet applicable to land borders due to Austria’s concerns over undocumented migration. The two countries reached an agreement late last year to join the continent’s free-travel area by air and sea after Austria opposed full membership, including land crossings, saying Romania and Bulgaria needed to do more to prevent irregular migration. One of Romania’s main road …

Romania and Bulgaria join Europe’s Schengen travel zone but keep land border checks
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Romania and Bulgaria join Europe’s Schengen travel zone but keep land border checks

LA Times  

Passengers arriving at the Henri Coanda International Airport pass under a Schengen Information sign, in Otopeni, near Bucharest, Romania, on Sunday. Romania and Bulgaria joined Europe’s passport- and visa-free Schengen Area, applying only to travelers arriving by air and sea. Romania and Bulgaria partially joined Europe’s ID-check-free travel zone on Sunday, marking a new step in the two countries’ integration …

Netherlands in talks that could lead to Bulgaria entering Schengen Area
1 year, 5 months ago

Netherlands in talks that could lead to Bulgaria entering Schengen Area

NL Times  

The Netherlands and Bulgaria are discussing an invitation from the latter to send Dutch experts to visit the Bulgarian-Turkish border. The new prime minister of the Balkan country, Nikolai Denkov, hopes to persuade the Netherlands to end its opposition to Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen Area, currently comprised of 27 European countries that no longer require passport checks or border …

EU dampens Bulgaria’s hopes of joining eurozone before 2025
1 year, 10 months ago

EU dampens Bulgaria’s hopes of joining eurozone before 2025

Associated Press  

SOFIA, Bulgaria — A senior European Union official on Thursday dampened Bulgaria’s aspirations for a swift adoption of the euro currency as the Balkan country doesn’t meet all required entry criteria. European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis told reporters before his meetings with Bulgarian officials that the country wouldn’t become a eurozone member before the beginning of 2025. Bulgaria, which …

EU chief celebrates ‘immense achievements’ of member Croatia
1 year, 11 months ago

EU chief celebrates ‘immense achievements’ of member Croatia

Associated Press  

ZAGREB, Croatia — The chief of the European Union visited Croatia on Sunday to celebrate the “immense achievements” of the newest EU member nation, which switched to using the euro and joined the world’s largest passport-free travel area on New Year’s Day. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met with leaders of Croatia and Slovenia at the Bregana border …

Croatia rings in New Year as fully integrated European Union member
1 year, 11 months ago

Croatia rings in New Year as fully integrated European Union member

Firstpost  

Zagreb, Croatia: At the stroke of midnight on Saturday, Croatia switched to the shared European currency, the euro, and removed dozens of border checkpoints to join the world’s largest passport-free travel area. Joining Europe’s ID-check-free Schengen zone means Croats will now be among almost 420 million people who are free to roam its 27 member countries without passports for work …

Croatia rings in New Year as fully integrated EU member
1 year, 11 months ago

Croatia rings in New Year as fully integrated EU member

Associated Press  

ZAGREB, Croatia — At the stroke of midnight on Saturday, Croatia switched to the shared European currency, the euro, and removed dozens of border checkpoints to join the world’s largest passport-free travel area. Joining Europe’s ID-check-free Schengen zone means Croats will now be among almost 420 million people who are free to roam its 27 member countries without passports for …

Croatia to Formally Adopt Euro, Become 27th Schengen Member
1 year, 11 months ago

Croatia to Formally Adopt Euro, Become 27th Schengen Member

News 18  

Croatia was counting the last hours Saturday before switching to the euro and entering Europe’s passport-free zone — two milestone steps for the country since joining the EU nearly a decade ago. Experts say the adoption of the euro will help shield Croatia’s economy at a time when inflation is soaring worldwide after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent food and …

Croatia to join Europe’s ID-check-free area, others to wait
2 years ago

Croatia to join Europe’s ID-check-free area, others to wait

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — European Union countries agreed Thursday to allow Croatia to fully open its borders and participate in Europe’s ID-check-free travel zone, but Bulgaria and Romania were told that they must wait longer to be allowed in. Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs late Thursday said it had summoned Austria’s ambassador over Vienna’s “unjustified and unfriendly attitude.” “The considers that this …

Austria to reject Bulgaria, Romania's Schengen hopes
2 years ago

Austria to reject Bulgaria, Romania's Schengen hopes

Dutch News  

Austria said on Thursday it would veto EU members Romania and Bulgaria joining the passport-free Schengen area, further escalating tensions after the Netherlands said it would reject Bulgaria’s accession. Austria’s interior minister Gerhard Karner said he would oppose Romanian and Bulgarian membership because, he said, ‘it is wrong that a system that does not work in many places should be …

Austria to reject Bulgaria, Romania's Schengen hopes
2 years ago

Austria to reject Bulgaria, Romania's Schengen hopes

Dutch News  

Austria said on Thursday it would veto EU members Romania and Bulgaria joining the passport-free Schengen area, further escalating tensions after the Netherlands said it would reject Bulgaria’s accession. Austria’s interior minister Gerhard Karner said he would oppose Romanian and Bulgarian membership because, he said, ‘it is wrong that a system that does not work in many places should be …

Schengen: Dutch poised to say no to Bulgaria, yes to Romania
2 years ago

Schengen: Dutch poised to say no to Bulgaria, yes to Romania

Dutch News  

The Netherlands will support Romania and Croatia’s accession to the Schengen zone at next week’s meeting in Brussels but will say no to Bulgaria, ministers decided at Friday’s cabinet meeting. Prime minister Mark Rutte told a press conference on Friday afternoon that the decision not to support Bulgaria’s membership of Schengen is based on fact, and is not a political …

Netherlands may miss out on top EU position because it keeps blocking Schengen expansion
2 years ago

Netherlands may miss out on top EU position because it keeps blocking Schengen expansion

NL Times  

The Netherlands’ continued resistance to letting Bulgaria and Romania join the Schengen zone may cost it a high-ranking position in the European Union - the CEO of Frontex, the European institution for border control, AD reports. The Netherlands is the only country still pushing against Bulgaria and Romania joining the Schengen zone. Letting the countries into the Schengen zone would …

Bulgarian MEPs call on Dutch to let their country join Schengen
2 years, 1 month ago

Bulgarian MEPs call on Dutch to let their country join Schengen

Dutch News  

Bulgarian members of the European parliament have launched an appeal to Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte to let their country, as well as Romania and Croatia, join the Schengen area on January 1, 2023. ‘The 11-year unprecedented and groundless blocking of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area by the Council of the EU, and in particular …

Bulgarian MEPs call on Dutch to let their country join Schengen
2 years, 1 month ago

Bulgarian MEPs call on Dutch to let their country join Schengen

Dutch News  

Bulgarian members of the European parliament have launched an appeal to Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte to let their country, as well as Romania and Croatia, join the Schengen area on January 1, 2023. ‘The 11-year unprecedented and groundless blocking of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area by the Council of the EU, and in particular …

Bulgarian MEPs ask Dutch PM to stop "groundlessly blocking" its admission to Schengen
2 years, 1 month ago

Bulgarian MEPs ask Dutch PM to stop "groundlessly blocking" its admission to Schengen

NL Times  

The Bulgarian Members of the European Parliament addressed a letter to Prime Minister Mark Rutte asking the Dutch government to stop the “11-year unprecedented and groundless blocking” of Bulgaria and Romania’s accession to the Schengen area. All Bulgarian MEPs appealed today to the Dutch government to take into account the assessment of the @EU_Commission & the resolutions of the @Europarl_EN …

The Netherlands won't single-handedly block Bosnia from becoming EU candidate member
2 years, 1 month ago

The Netherlands won't single-handedly block Bosnia from becoming EU candidate member

NL Times  

The Netherlands is no longer opposed to the European Commission's proposal to make Bosnia-Herzegovina a candidate for EU membership. But, there are also arguments in favor of candidate membership, wrote Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra in a letter to the Tweede Kamer. Last month, the European Commission decided that Bosnia should become a candidate for membership, even though it does not …

Bulgaria’s no-confidence vote could hamper EU expansion
2 years, 6 months ago

Bulgaria’s no-confidence vote could hamper EU expansion

Associated Press  

SOFIA, Bulgaria — Lawmakers in Bulgaria on Wednesday approved a no-confidence motion against the country’s minority coalition government that could topple the centrist prime minister and further stall efforts by Balkan countries to join the European Union. The Bulgarian government has insisted North Macedonia formally recognizes that its language has Bulgarian roots, acknowledges in its constitution a Bulgarian minority, and …

Netherlands now supports EU bids from Albania and N. Macedonia
2 years, 6 months ago

Netherlands now supports EU bids from Albania and N. Macedonia

NL Times  

The Netherlands has made an about-face when it comes to the accession of Albania and North Macedonia to the European Union. Although Prime Minister Mark Rutte vocally opposed the two countries joining the EU a few years ago, he now approves, De Telegraaf reports. The Cabinet and coalition parties in the Tweede Kamer are also favorable toward the two Balkan …

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