Bulgaria and Romania jointly celebrated the entry into Schengen at the Danube Bridge

The interior ministers of Bulgaria and Romania symbolically lifted the last closed border barrier between the two countries at the Danube Bridge, BGNES reported.

With this ceremony, which was attended by Atanas Ilkov and Cutalin Predoyu, the two countries celebrated their full membership in Schengen.

Bulgaria's and Romania's journey towards Schengen has lasted 13 years. Although the two countries had met all the technical requirements many years ago, the Netherlands and Austria tripped up the two countries by vetoing them.

The big breakthrough came at the end of 2023, when it was decided to lift Schengen by air and water. In the autumn of this year, Vienna also reneged on its last conditions, making entry for Sofia and Bucharest possible.

The economic and psychological effect of Bulgaria and Romania's membership of the free movement area is indisputable, and it will be felt by everyone very soon. At the same time, Bulgaria's responsibility for the security of a united Europe is growing, making us its true land gateway to the countries of the Middle East, Asia and Africa. I BGNES