Bulgaria and Romania in the Schengen area by 2023: a necessity, says the European Parliament

The European Parliament recently lobbied for the inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania in the Schengen area, an area of free movement within the European Union. The Parliament calls on the Council of the European Union to grant these two countries membership of the Schengen area before the end of 2023, which would mark a significant turning point in these countries' relations with the EU.

A resolution supported by a majority of MPs

A resolution to support the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area has been adopted by 526 Members of the European Parliament, with only 57 opposed. The resolution stresses that these two countries have met all the necessary criteria to join Schengen, and argues that their exclusion is both economically and socially damaging to the populations and businesses of these countries.

Impact of exclusion: Social and economic costs for Bulgaria and Romania

Bulgaria and Romania's exclusion from the Schengen area has tangible consequences for their citizens and businesses. These include delays, bureaucratic complications and additional costs when traveling or doing business abroad. In addition, Romanians and Bulgarians are subject to far greater delays at border crossings than nationals of Schengen countries.

Environmental impact: increased pollution at border crossings

Keeping these two countries out of Schengen also has environmental consequences. Traffic jams at the border lead to a significant increase in CO2 emissions, estimated at around 46,000 tonnes per year. This underlines the indirect environmental damage of their exclusion from the Schengen area.

Bulgaria and Romania's accession supported by EU Parliament and Commission

Despite resistance from the Council, the EU Commission and Parliament support the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area. If these two countries were to join the Schengen area, they would leave the group of the last four EU member states - along with Ireland and Cyprus - that are not yet part of it.

Opinions

The inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania in the Schengen area represents an important step in the integration of these two countries into the EU. Not only would it eliminate the bureaucratic and economic obstacles facing the citizens and businesses of these countries, but it could also help to improve the environmental situation at the borders. It is therefore essential that the EU Council takes this issue seriously and grants Bulgaria and Romania Schengen membership as soon as possible.