Romania and Bulgaria will become full members of the Schengen free travel area from January 1, EU interior ministers agreed on Thursday.
The green light came after Austria decided on Monday to override its veto on both countries’ accession. The two countries, along with Croatia, were due to join the Schengen Area in 2023, but the deal fell apart after Austria objected to Bulgaria and Romania’s failure to cope with the surge in migrants arriving via the Western Balkan route.
“Following ‘Schengen Airlines’, ‘Schengenland’ has also been opened to Romania and Bulgaria,” Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Kerner said on Monday, adding that Austria’s demands had led to a reduction in the number of migrant arrivals.
Romania and Bulgaria partially joined the Schengen Area in March, lifting air and maritime restrictions.
In November, the interior ministers of Hungary, Austria, Bulgaria and Romania agreed to set a date for the lifting of land border checks with Romania and Bulgaria, on the condition that joint efforts to stop irregular migration continue. They agreed to “initiate the necessary measures.”
