With 547 votes in favour, 49 against and 43 abstentions, the European Parliament adopted a resolution demanding that the Council of the EU allow Bulgaria and Romania to become part of Schengen by the end of the year. In the document, MEPs express astonishment that the Council has not decided on the admission of the two countries, although they have fulfilled the necessary conditions since 2011, BNR correspondent in Brussels Angelina Piskova reported.

"Maintaining internal border control is discriminatory and seriously affects the lives of mobile workers and citizens," the MEPs say. They add that the internal border control has a negative effect on the functioning of the Common Market, hindering the import, export and free movement of goods.

MEPs have already called for Bulgaria and Romania to be accepted into Schengen in two resolutions - from 2018 and 2020, as well as in a report from 2021. The accession of new countries to Schengen requires the decision of the Council of the EU.