“Bulgaria is fully prepared to be a full-fledged and secure member of the Schengen area as of 1 January,” MEP Andrey Novakov said at a press conference at the Bulgarian news agency BTA in Vidin.

Before the briefing, together with caretaker Minister of Transport Krasimira Stoyanova, Chief Commissioner Anton Zlatanov, director of Border Police, the European Coordinator for the Western Balkans - Eastern Mediterranean European Transport Corridor Marian-Jean Marinescu and other officials, Novakov visited the Danube Bridge 2 border check point at Vidin-Kalafat.

“I expect the Bulgarian transport branch and the Bulgarian economy to finally leave the “emergency lane” so as to be competitive to their colleagues in Central and Western Europe. The biggest inconvenience at this time are the long lines at the borders,” Novakov said.

The decision for Bulgaria and Romania’s accession to Schengen by land is expected to be finalized at the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on 12 December.