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Schengen

All articles tagged with #schengen

Romania and Bulgaria Achieve Full Schengen Membership
international1 year ago

Romania and Bulgaria Achieve Full Schengen Membership

Romania and Bulgaria have been approved to join the Schengen area, with the decision taking effect on January 1, 2025. This move, decided by European interior ministers in Brussels, will eliminate borders between these countries and the rest of the Schengen zone. Despite meeting the requirements since 2010, their accession was delayed due to migration concerns, particularly from Austria, which recently agreed not to veto the decision after Bulgaria committed to increasing border security with Turkey.

Hungary's Veto Threats Over Russian Gas Tax Jeopardize Bulgaria's Schengen Entry
international-relations2 years ago

Hungary's Veto Threats Over Russian Gas Tax Jeopardize Bulgaria's Schengen Entry

Hungary's Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó, has stated that Hungary will veto Bulgaria's bid to join the Schengen area unless Bulgaria removes a transit levy on Russian gas. Hungary accuses Bulgaria of carrying out a hostile action by imposing an additional tax on Russian gas transiting its territory. Hungary relies on Russian gas supplied through Bulgaria, and if Bulgaria jeopardizes Hungary's energy supply, Hungary will veto their Schengen entry. The European Commission has considered Bulgaria ready to join Schengen since 2011, but previous vetoes have blocked its accession.