"Bulgaria and Romania's Partial Entry into Schengen Zone Signals Progress"

Bulgaria and Romania have partially joined the Schengen area, allowing free movement by air and sea, but not land borders due to Austria's concerns over irregular migration. The move has practical and symbolic significance, but truck drivers and businesses in both countries are frustrated by long border waits and financial losses. Both countries aim to complete negotiations for land border integration by 2024, with efforts to manage irregular migration through regional police initiatives and increased support from the EU's border agency.