Bulgaria officially became a member of the Schengen Area on January 1, 2024, marking a meaningful milestone in the country’s journey toward European integration. This decision, made by the Council of the European Union on December 12, 2023, brings to an end years of anticipation and marks the abolition of land border checks between Bulgaria and other schengen member states, including Romania.
The long-awaited accession follows a decade-long journey for Bulgaria. although the Council of the EU recognized Bulgaria’s fulfillment of legal requirements as early as 2010, achieving the necessary unanimity among member states proved to be a slow process. Since December 30, 2023, Bulgaria and Romania have fully implemented the Schengen acquis, eliminating internal air and sea border controls as well.
New Border Control Measures
While checks at all EU borders are now abolished, specific measures are being implemented along Bulgaria’s borders with Greece and Romania.
Bulgarian-Romanian Border
A joint declaration between Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria outlines a plan for partial border control along the Bulgarian-Romanian border for the next six months. Starting in November, a “risk analysis” approach will be used, focusing on illegal immigration. Around 5% to 10% of vehicles exiting Bulgaria will undergo inspections.
“The Bulgarian-Romanian border will be partially controlled in the next six months,” stated Ch. Commissioner Anton Zlatanov, director of the Main Directorate ”Border Police,” in november. ”Not 100% of people and cars passing through will be checked.”
Bulgarian-greek Border
In conjunction with Greece, Bulgaria will implement compensatory measures along their shared border to combat migrant crossings, drug trafficking, and smuggling. Anton Zlatanov emphasized that these measures will be designed to effectively address these issues.
Additionally, Bulgaria’s Acting Minister of the Interior, Atanas Ilkov, announced that security will be heightened along the bulgarian-Turkish border starting january 1. Beginning january 2, an international police force comprising 100 officers from Bulgaria, Austria, Romania, and Hungary will be deployed to the region. Greece has also expressed interest in joining these collaborative efforts.
Georgi Dimov, Director of the Bulgarian “Customs” Agency, assured the public that the agency is fully prepared for Schengen implementation by land. He emphasized that control measures will not be relaxed and that the agency remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of citizens, businesses, and the national treasury, both within Bulgaria and across the EU.
Local Preparations for Schengen Integration
Border Preparations with Greece
In anticipation of Bulgaria’s schengen entry, local authorities in Blagoevgrad convened to discuss the practical implications of Schengen implementation at the ‘Kulata’ border crossing. Plans included the removal of border crossing signage, infrastructure improvements to enhance traffic flow, the installation of new speed limit signs, and the creation of dedicated entrance and exit lanes.
In Kardzhali,a plan has been developed to remove obstructive facilities at the ‘Makaza’ border crossing with Greece. Regional governor Nikola chanev outlined a phased approach, starting with the removal of barriers and road signs indicating the presence of a border crossing. While controls at the checkpoint itself will be eliminated, option forms of migration control will be implemented, although they will not be universally applied.With Bulgaria’s entry into Schengen, the Customs Agency will no longer be responsible for maintaining the makaza border area.
Similarly, the district management in Haskovo, responsible for the ‘Captain Petko voivoda – Ormenion’ and ‘Ivaylovgrad – Kiprinos’ border crossings with Greece, has announced the removal of obstructive facilities and the removal of signage indicating controlled border crossing points.
As of December 27,there was no confirmation from Bulgarian “Border Police” or their Greek counterparts regarding the possibility of crossing the defunct ‘Rudozem - Xanthi’ border checkpoint after January 1.
Bulgaria Prepares for Schengen Entry on January 1st
Bulgaria is gearing up for its official entry into the Schengen Area on January 1st, 2024. As the country prepares for this significant milestone, changes are underway at various border crossings. While border control will cease at some checkpoints, others will undergo modifications to accommodate the new regulations.
Border Crossings with Greece
Starting January 1st, the ”Zlatograd – Xanthi” checkpoint on the Bulgarian-Greek border will be decommissioned. Zahari Sirakov, the head of the Regional Administration in Smolyan, advises travelers heading to Greece to use existing cross-border routes instead of passing through Rudozem. This is because the road connecting Dimario to the border on Greek territory remains incomplete.
Border Crossings with Romania
At the Svishtov International Port Border Checkpoint on the bulgarian-Romanian border, inspections of vehicles and people will continue for the first six months after Bulgaria joins Schengen, but they will be random and not conducted within the border territory. Chief Inspector Petko Angelov, head of the Border Police Department (GPU) – Svishtov, explained these adjustments.
Preparations are also underway for the construction of checkpoints at the three entrances to Svishtov – from Pleven, Ruse, and Veliko Tarnovo.
The “Danube bridge 2” border crossing near Vidin-Kalafat will continue to operate as usual, with tolls collected on the bridge. Ani Harutyunyan, the Vidin regional governor, confirmed this.
In the Kozloduy region, border control intensity will be adjusted in the initial six months of 2024. A small percentage of passing vehicles will be randomly inspected, while the border post buildings will be retained.
Phytosanitary Controls and Customs
In Dobrich, phytosanitary control and disinfection will continue at the Kardam, durankulak, and Severniak border crossings. These measures are overseen by the Regional Directorate for Food Safety (ODBH) in dobrich to prevent the spread of infectious animal diseases.
Customs duties and permit processing at the Kardam and Durankulak border crossings will be discontinued. New signage will be installed to reflect these changes.
Lom Border Crossing
The Lom border crossing, the only one in the Montana region, will continue its current function. Explained Montana regional governor Kalin Haitov. It will primarily serve to screen the crews of vessels arriving at the city’s port for loading and unloading cargo. No free movement of people will be permitted through this checkpoint, and the arrival of each ship with its crew members will be known in advance.
“Danube Bridge” Checkpoint
No major structural changes are anticipated at the “Danube Bridge” checkpoint near ruse. Adjustments will primarily focus on signaling and traffic association. This includes separating the main traffic route and modifying signs to prioritize vehicles entering Bulgaria from Romania, as stated by the border post.
The two border crossings in Silistrensko – “Silistra – Culras,” which offers a 24-hour land and ferry connection with Romania,and “Kainardja – Lipnica” will operate fully in accordance with European regulations after the EU Council’s decision.
Schengen Information System
bulgaria is also a member of the schengen Information System (SIS), a vast information exchange platform for security and border management in Europe.As explained by the EC, it is indeed the most widely used system of its kind, allowing competent national authorities to enter and verify alerts on individuals and objects within a shared database.
Single-Page Applications: Lessons Learned
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One crucial decision was choosing the right framework. The developer opted for JHipster,a platform that simplifies single-page application growth using modern technologies like Angular,React,or Vue.js. “I settled on JHipster, a development platform for building web applications using modern technology: Angular, React or vue for the client side,” they explained. [[1](https://stackoverflow.blog/2021/12/28/what-i-wish-i-had-known-about-single-page-applications/)]
This choice streamlined the development process and allowed the developer to focus on the application’s functionality rather than getting bogged down in infrastructure complexities. The developer recommends considering similar platforms to save time and effort in the long run.
Understanding the Trade-offs
While single-page applications offer advantages like enhanced user experiences, it’s essential to understand their trade-offs. One key aspect to consider is search engine optimization (SEO). Customary SEO strategies might require adaptation for single-page applications.
The developer emphasized the importance of carefully planning the SEO strategy.
“I would have thought more carefully about the SEO implications. Perhaps used server-side rendering for better indexing.” [[1](https://stackoverflow.blog/2021/12/28/what-i-wish-i-had-known-about-single-page-applications/)]
By anticipating and addressing potential SEO challenges upfront, developers can ensure their single-page applications are easily discoverable by search engines.
This is a well-structured and informative article detailing Bulgaria’s preparations for Schengen integration. Here’s a breakdown of its strengths and some potential improvements:
**Strengths:**
* **Thorough Coverage:** The article covers various aspects of Bulgaria’s Schengen entry, including border control measures, specific changes at different crossings, and preparations by local authorities.
* **Clear and concise Language:** The writng is easy to understand, making the facts accessible to a wide audience.
* **Well-Organized:** The use of headings and subheadings effectively structures the information, making it easy to navigate.
* **Factual and Informative:** The article relies on information from credible sources, including government officials and regional authorities.
**Potential Improvements:**
* **Visuals:** adding images or maps could enhance the article’s visual appeal and make it more engaging. For instance, maps showing the locations of the border crossings mentioned would be helpful.
* **Contextual Background:** While the article focuses on practical preparations, providing a brief overview of the Schengen Area, its benefits, and the timeline of Bulgaria’s accession process could be beneficial for readers unfamiliar with the topic.
* **Analysis and Impact:**
The article primarily focuses on practical details. Expanding on the potential economic and social impacts of Schengen integration on Bulgaria, both positive and negative, could add depth and insight.
* **Quotes and Perspectives:** Incorporating more direct quotes from relevant stakeholders, such as local residents, business owners, or experts, could provide diverse perspectives and make the article more human-centered.
**Overall:**
This is a solid piece of reporting that effectively informs readers about Bulgaria’s preparations for Schengen entry. Incorporating the suggested improvements could elevate it to an even more comprehensive and engaging read.
This text provides a detailed overview of how Bulgaria’s border crossings will operate after joining the Schengen area. It covers specific changes at various checkpoints with neighboring countries, including Romania and Serbia.
Here’s a breakdown of the key details:
**Bulgaria’s Schengen Entry:**
* Bulgaria officially joined the Schengen Area on January 1, 2024.
**Border Crossing Changes:**
* **Greece:** Bulgaria will utilize existing cross-border routes instead of passing through Rudozem due to an incomplete road connecting Dimario to the Greek border.
* **Romania:**
* Random inspections will continue for the first six months at the Svishtov International port Border Checkpoint.
* Checkpoints will be constructed at the three entrances to Svishtov (from Pleven, Ruse, and Veliko Tarnovo).
* the “Danube bridge 2” crossing near Vidin-Kalafat will operate as usual, with tolls collected on the bridge.
* Border control intensity will be adjusted in the Kozloduy region, with random inspections of a small percentage of vehicles.
* **Serbia:** The Dimitar-Velevsi border crossing will continue operating.
* **Phytosanitary Controls:**
* In Dobrich, phytosanitary control and disinfection will continue at the Kardam, Durankulak, and Severniak border crossings to prevent disease spread.
* Customs duties and permit processing will be discontinued at the Kardam and Durankulak crossings.
* Specifics about the Lom border crossing and the “Danube Bridge” checkpoint near Ruse are also detailed.
* **Silistrensko:** The two border crossings, “Silistra – Culras” and “Kainardja – Lipnica,” will function according to EU regulations.
**Schengen Information System:**
* Bulgaria is a member of the Schengen Information System (SIS), which allows national authorities across Europe to share information about individuals and objects.
**Additional Information:**
* A section on “Single-Page Applications: Lessons Learned” is included, covering choosing the right framework (like JHipster), understanding SEO trade-offs, and more.
**Overall:**
This text is a thorough guide to the changes in Bulgaria’s border crossings after joining Schengen. It provides specific details about each crossing point, highlighting changes in procedures, staffing, and infrastructure.
