Law enforcement in Europe

After more than a decade of anticipation, Bulgaria, together with Romania, has finally gained entry into the Schengen area. However, the initial approval, effective from March 2024, is limited to air and sea routes exclusively. This development signifies the end of passport checks for flights connecting Bulgaria to the broader European landscape, promising smoother travel processes.

Bulgarian Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Andrey Novakov and Emil Radev, representing GERB, have directed inquiries to the European Commission regarding the potential inclusion of Danube ports, pivotal crosspoints between Bulgaria and Romania, under the Schengen Agreement.

Bulgaria's major airports, including Sofia, Varna, Burgas, and Plovdiv, have confirmed their readiness for Bulgaria's upcoming inclusion in the Schengen area by air, slated for March 31. These airports anticipate a seamless transition, assuring improved passenger processing and reduced wait times for travelers to and from Schengen member states.

The chairman of Bulgaria's Association of Industrial Capital, Vasil Velev, recently proposed a boycott of Austrian initiatives and businesses within Bulgaria due to Austria's stance against Bulgaria's Schengen entry through land borders. This call has sparked reactions across the nation, notably drawing a response from GERB leader Boyko Borissov.

The Austrian Chamber of Commerce, serving as the overseas business representative, has greeted the partial Schengen agreement positively, hailing it as a promising development. Philip Kupfer, the trade advisor at the Austrian embassy, expressed enthusiasm for the move, highlighting the significance of meeting pertinent conditions for a robust domestic market within Europe.

Vasil Velev, Chairman of the Association of Industrial Capital in Bulgaria, expressed discontent over Bulgaria's limited acceptance into the Schengen area, highlighting the missed economic opportunities estimated at over 1 billion annually.

Romania's Schengen accession on March 31 brings about notable changes at Bucharest's Henri Coanda International Airport as Austrian officers will collaborate with Romanian counterparts in passport and document scrutiny. The collaboration aims to enhance border security and streamline identity verification processes for travelers entering the Schengen zone.

The Customs Agency of Bulgaria has intensified scrutiny on all goods entering and exiting Austria, implemented across checkpoints and territory, aligning with the country's commitment to Austria and Schengen entry obligations.

Proposals for changes to the Asylum and Refugee Act, concerning Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen zone, are now available for public feedback on the Council of Ministers' Public Consultation Portal.

Croatia has achieved an unprecedented milestone, becoming the first country to simultaneously join both the eurozone and the Schengen area on January 1, 2023. However, this historic move has sparked mixed sentiments within the nation.