Schengen Area

Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov affirmed Bulgaria's position on refugee acceptance during a parliamentary committee hearing linked to the country's Schengen entry via air and sea.

As the National Assembly commenced its first session for 2024, political parties seized the opportunity to articulate their assessments and expectations for the upcoming political season. Each party presented declarations outlining their visions and priorities for the nation.

In an ambitious declaration that resonated through the plenary hall during the commencement of Parliament's winter session, Temenuzhka Petkova, Deputy Floor Leader of GERB-SDS, outlined the party's key priorities for the upcoming legislative period.

Petar Mastikov, Chief Analyst at the Bulgarian National Registry for New Constructions and Reconstructions, has sounded a cautionary note, expressing concerns over a possible speculative surge in property prices across Bulgaria once the country enters the eurozone.

The Finance Minister, Assen Vassilev, refuted any connection between ongoing tax inspections at numerous Austrian companies and Austria's recent rejection of Bulgaria's Schengen accession. Vassilev clarified that the inspections involving a large Austrian food chain and a petrol station were part of regular fiscal risk assessments mandated by the goods declaration regulation.

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.

During the presentation of European Presidency priorities, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel underscored Bulgaria's position in essential global institutions. Stressing Bulgaria's rightful place in Schengen, the Eurozone, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Gabriel highlighted their significance during the event.