Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgaria and Romania remain outside Schengen

| updated on 12/8/22 6:12 PM
Photo: European Council

Only Croatia will be admitted to the Schengen area from January 1, while Bulgaria and Romania remain outside the open travel zone. In today's vote in the EU Council, Austria has blocked the accession of Romania and Bulgaria into Schengen, while the Netherlands supported Romania's bid but opposed Bulgaria's
25 countries voted in favour of Bulgaria. Earlier it was reported that during the discussion the Netherlands had requested a new report on Bulgaria under the Cooperation and Verification and Mechanism (CVM). Introduced upon the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the EU, the CVM aimed to bring the two countries in line with EU standards in rule of law. The mechanism was lifted in 2019. The information was provided by BNR correspondent in Brussels Angelina Piskova.
Bulgaria has never had more support for Schengen. Foreign Minister Nikolay Milkov said the issue would be raised at upcoming meetings with the European Union. He expects a new positive decision on Bulgaria's accession to Schengen in March

"The issue is political", caretaker Minister of Interior Ivan Demerdzhiev said with regard to the decision of Austria and the Netherlands to stop Bulgaria for Schengen. In his view, the Netherlands’ position is not constructive. "For the time being, Bulgaria will not take reciprocal measures", Minister Demerdzhiev said.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Nikola Altankov

Renowned Bulgarian Prof. Nikola Altankov has passed away at the age of 93

On August 10 in Sofia, at the age of 93, Prof. Nikola Altankov passed away . His life was marked by trials and dedication to the Bulgarian cause, which did not prevent him from being an eternal optimist for the future of his homeland. At the age..

published on 8/12/25 10:23 AM
Firefighting helicopter in Sungurlare

Firefighting continues in Pirin Mountain and near town of Sungurlare

159 fires have been extinguished in Bulgaria over the past 24 hours , the General Directorate of Fire Safety and Population Protection announced. No one died or was injured in the fires. The fire near the village of Skala in Sungurlare has been..

published on 8/12/25 9:26 AM
Georg Georgiev

Sanctions against Russia prove their effectiveness, says Bulgarian foreign minister

Any peace agreement must be sustainable and fair, respecting the principles of international law. This was stated by Foreign Minister Georgy Georgiev in a videoconference meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council. On August 11, the Council discussed..

published on 8/12/25 9:13 AM