Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mariya Gabriel thanked all those who contributed to Bulgaria's Schengen accession, starting with air and sea borders. Mariya Gabriel pointed out that Bulgaria demonstrates on a daily basis its key role in protecting the external borders of the European Union and noted that Bulgaria has a strong border control system, which further strengthens the European Union’s security. "In 2024, we will continue to work together for the subsequent removal of land border controls", said Mariya Gabriel. In her words, ''with Bulgaria and Romania today the Schengen area is stronger''.

"Our entry to Schengen for air and sea borders is a matter of regained trust, a matter of security and a matter of European integration and Europe gives us the credit for all three", We Continue the Change co-chairman and former Prime Minister Kiril Petkov wrote on Facebook. "I understand that our political and geopolitical opponents are not very happy with the news of Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen agreement. But there are times when political and party interests have to give way to national ones. And today is such a day", wrote Kiril Petkov.

• Council of the EU agrees to remove air and maritime internal border controls with Bulgaria and Romania

  
  
  

• Opposition parties in Bulgaria criticize Austria's conditions for entry into Schengen