Text size

EU needs Bulgaria and Romania in Schengen, says Economy Minister

published on 11/23/23 1:38 PM

Bogdan Bogdanov

Photo: BTA

Europe's economic development and security depend on the full integration of Bulgaria and Romania into Schengen and the euro area - this is what we want to make clear today, together with the business sector and the bilateral chambers of commerce, said Bulgarian Minister of Economy and Industry Bogdan Bogdanov.

Mr Bogdanov and his Romanian counterpart Ștefan-Radu Oprea visited the Danube Bridge border crossing at Ruse. Both officials said that queues of heavy lorries and slow passage at the border were hampering business and causing significant financial damage.

The ministers are attending a Bulgarian-Romanian business conference to discuss the losses to the region and investors caused by the two countries' delay in joining Schengen. The Austrian ambassador to Bulgaria, Andrea Ikic-Böhm, is among those attending the forum.

The GDP of the two countries is expected to grow by 3 to 5% if they join Schengen and the eurozone.

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!

Radio Bulgaria News Andrea Ikic-Böhm Bogdan Bogdanov Bulgaria Bulgarian-Romanian business conference eurozone Romania Schengen Stefan-Radu Oprea

More from category

Electricity export from Bulgaria increases in the summer

For the first 7 months of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, electricity exports from Bulgaria have been growing. This was what the director of the Electricity System Operator (ESO), Angelin Tsachev, told the Bulgarian..

published on 8/11/25 11:57 AM

Businesses to be offered to buy euro banknotes and coins in November

Starting in November, euro banknotes and coins will be offered for purchase to businesses and citizens before entering the eurozone on January 1, 2026. Traders will have to obtain euro banknotes and coins in order to be able to..

published on 8/11/25 9:29 AM

Bulgaria to acquire additional second-hand minesweepers because of mines in the Black Sea

We expect the governments of Belgium and the Netherlands to decide soon on the acquisition of their decommissioned mine hunters by Bulgaria. This was what Minister of Defence Atanas Zapryanov said in Varna. He was guest at the solemn..

published on 8/11/25 8:55 AM