The European Commission is now working with the Swedish Presidency so that a positive decision can be taken by the Council as soon as possible this year. Romania and Bulgaria can continue counting on Commission’s unwavering support, European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson says in a response to a letter from Romanian MEP Eugen Tomac (EPP), according to Agerpres.

„Schengen enlargement is a political priority for the Commission and considerable efforts have been made in 2022 to support the full application of the Schengen acquis in Romania and Bulgaria. The Commission has called upon the Council repeatedly to take the necessary steps for Romania and Bulgaria to become part of the area without controls at the internal borders, most recently in the Commission Communication adopted in November 2022,” the European Commissioner for Home Affairs brings to mind in the response to a letter addressed to her by Eugen Tomac on January 16, on the topic of the Schengen area enlargement with Romania and Bulgaria.

„You have rightly pointed out that Romania and Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen responds to a European promise and a legitimate expectation that membership follows when all the conditions are verified and met. It is indeed regrettable that despite the relentless work carried out by the Czech Presidency, the decision for Romania and Bulgaria did not receive the unanimous support of all Member States,” Ylva Johansson also writes, according to the text the Romanian MEP sent to Agerpres on Thursday.

The European Commissioner reiterates that „both Romania and Bulgaria are technically ready, having made considerable efforts to implement the legal and operational framework up to high standards for accession to the Schengen area,” adding that „it should only be a matter of time until Romania and Bulgaria will be fully part of Schengen.”

Agerpres