Schengen Area

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.

As Bulgaria prepares to enter Schengen by air on March 31, Jesus Caballero, CEO of Sofia Airport's operating company, foresees faster terminal transitions for over two-thirds of passengers. In an interview with Sega news, Caballero revealed that the passport control-free corridors at Sofia Airport would be operational overnight, promising expedited passenger flows.

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.

Chief Commissioner Anton Zlatanov from Bulgaria's Border Police addressed recent developments regarding Bulgaria's Schengen entry and the evolving migrant situation in Europe.

The Council of the European Union's decision to welcome Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen zone by air and water starting March 31, 2024, has been formally published in the Official Journal of the EU. This momentous announcement marks a significant milestone for both nations, signifying their long-awaited accession into the Schengen community.

Lena Borislavova, a prominent figure within the "We Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria" (WCC-DB) coalition, shared significant perspectives and plans regarding Bulgaria's political landscape in a recent interview with the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR).