Bulgaria and Romania’s Schengen Saga – A Comical Review
Ah, the incessant twists and turns of European politics! If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that the story of Bulgaria and Romania trying to join the Schengen Area is a gripping saga worthy of its own Netflix series. Season one should be titled “Will They? Won’t They?” Watching paint dry may seem thrilling in comparison, but here we are, folks!
The Great Border Balderdash
*Cue the dramatic music.* Austria has finally uncrossed its arms and decided to let Bulgaria and Romania into the land-based Schengen! 🎉 But hold your horses! Just when you think the gates of Schengen are flinging open, we find out that the border with Romania will still be up for at least another six months. Ah, the suspense is palpable! It’s like watching a magician pull a rabbit out of a hat and then saying, “But you can’t keep it.”
In a recent meeting held in Budapest, the interior ministers of Bulgaria, Romania, and Austria reached what they deemed a “landmark agreement.” Frankly, I haven’t heard such excitement since my last trip to the dentist. But it seems Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, is thrilled — she even threw in some phrases in Bulgarian and Romanian. Impressive, right? Or did she just Google Translate her way to excellence? Either way, props to her enthusiasm!
Decisions, Decisions…
Now, before you start planning a road trip through the Schengen Area with your snacks and migration papers, let’s slow down. We’ve got a “next step” here, folks. The final decision is scheduled to roll out (fingers crossed) through the European Council—mark your calendars for December 12. The drama unfolds once again!
And what’s this? A lovely declaration signed in Budapest? A classic case of political pomposity if I ever saw one. The whole affair sounds like a high-school debate club meeting, with dignitaries congratulating each other while trying to avoid talking about last night’s imported pizza.
Border Control Bonanza
The declaration states that to kick off this ‘full accession’ process, we’ll have 100 border guards swooping in (or should I say “slightly ambling”?) around the Bulgarian-Turkish border. It seems hard to believe that in the age of drones, 100 guards are the best they could come up with. It’s like arriving at a buffet only to discover the table’s set with just plates and one spoon. Who needs a buffet when you’re sharing a spoon, right?
And just when you thought peeking into Romania’s lovely landscape was a thing of the past—surprise! There’s going to be border controls staying in place for another six months. So, if you’re planning to go do some serious grape-peeping along the Danube, hold that thought! Grab a bottle of local wine instead and toast to being “almost” free.
Schengen’s Struggles: A Comedy of Errors
As Bulgaria and Romania valiantly struggle toward the Schengen finish line, it’s hard not to chuckle at the bureaucratic tango we’ve seen unfold since 2011. Despite checking all the boxes and fulfilling technical requirements, it seems that political grandstanding took precedence over what should have been a routine walk in the park. Instead, it’s more like a stroll through a muddy field with potholes the size of a small car.
Interestingly enough, a few key players—France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland—blocked their path, citing corruption concerns. Because obviously, it’s so hard to find corruption in politics these days! Will they ever learn? Talk about a circus of misshaped priorities!
The Silver Lining?
But wait! What’s this? Recent news indicates that illegal crossings are down by a staggering 70%. Maybe there’s hope yet! Acting Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev claims the situation is “going according to plan.” Isn’t that grand? It’s like a child proudly announcing they washed their hands for the first time; it’s great, but we were all expecting it anyway.
The Final Countdown
So here we are, waiting for the official stamp of approval on December 12. Will Bulgaria and Romania finally join Schengen and strut their stuff like they own the joint? Or will we be here next year recounting the same old story? I’ll have my popcorn ready. Don’t forget to tune in for the next episode!
Author: Tony Maskruchka
The border control with Romania remains for at least 6 months
Austria has officially consented to the integration of Bulgaria and Romania into the land-based Schengen area, paving the way for both countries to join the EU’s free movement zone by January 1, 2025. This significant decision marks a turning point in the region’s immigration policy.
The long-awaited decision was reached in Budapest on Friday during negotiations of the interior ministers of Bulgaria, Romania, and Austria with the mediation of Hungary, which is the rotating president of the Council of the EU. This collaborative effort signifies a crucial alignment among member states regarding border management and security.
The meeting finished with the signing of declaration
to solidify the full accession of both nations to the Schengen area. “Bulgaria and Romania belong to Schengen. The removal of land border controls is the final hurdle. I welcome the results of Budapest,” commented Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, expressing her enthusiasm in the native languages of the two applicant countries.
Before the final “yes” of the council, the decision will go through the interior ministers of the bloc on December 12, whereafter Bulgaria and Romania will be officially invited to join Schengen by land. Hungarian Interior Minister Sándor Pinter emphasized that work on the draft decision for December 12 will commence promptly, highlighting the proactive approach taken by member states to resolve outstanding issues.
Bulgaria and Romania, which are already in the final stages of full Schengen, have come a long way. Both nations have met the technical requirements since as early as 2011, yet political roadblocks from France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland hindered their progress due to allegations of corruption.
In the following years, Sofia and Bucharest focused on strengthening their borders, but their progress was significantly impacted by the 2015 migrant crisis, which temporarily sidelined the Schengen discussion until renewed interest emerged in 2022.
Subsequently, relations between Bulgaria and the Netherlands improved significantly, culminating in the endorsement from the then outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte. This newfound cooperation, matched with Austria’s agreement to allow air and maritime access in March 2023, demonstrates the gradual unblocking of the process for Sofia and Bucharest.
Attempts to penetrate by illegal migrants have decreased by 70%, and by 46% — those who penetrate the country and are caught on its territory. “The problem was not only in Austria; it was also concerning the Netherlands. They had their reasons, but we met the technical criteria,” Glavchev remarked, pointing to the collective efforts made to enhance border security.
There was no compromise in the security measures along the Bulgarian-Turkish border, with inspections indicating sufficient readiness to manage potential threats effectively. The inspection team’s rapid response to any vulnerabilities reaffirms the diligent oversight in place.
Author: Tony Maskruchka