The EU's borders with these countries are already partially open
On the night of March 31, border controls ceased completely at the air and sea borders of Romania, Bulgaria, and the EU. But checks will continue at land borders. The decision on the complete abolition of controls will have to be taken by the EU Council. Sofia and Bucharest hope that the final verdict will be issued by the end of the year.
Earlier, Austria vetoed the full accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen zone. Austria expressed fears that the countries could bring a flood of refugees to the EU. Negotiations between the states continue.
European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Romania and Bulgaria on "joining the Schengen family". She emphasized that this is a great success for the people of both countries and also benefits millions of EU citizens across Europe.
"Making the Schengen area even stronger," the head of the European Commission emphasized.
Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU in 2007, and already in 2011 the European Commission expressed its readiness to integrate the countries into the Schengen area. But EU members blocked this decision year after year because of corruption problems in Bulgaria and Romania and fears that the border would not be properly secured.
Finland is moving to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, which bans anti-personnel mines. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said the decision comes as a direct response to growing aggression from Russia.
The ruling Georgian Dream party has approved a set of controversial laws, including a “foreign agent” act aimed at NGOs and media. Critics say it mimics the U.S. FARA but is weaponized against dissent.
A long-feared megaquake off Japan’s Pacific coast could cause up to $1.81 trillion in damage and kill nearly 300,000 people, according to a new government report.
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The Russian capital faced one of the largest terrorist attacks in its history. The terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall, which claimed the lives of many innocent people, was the second largest after the Beslan tragedy. But unlike previous attacks, this incident is shrouded in a layer of contradictory facts and ambiguities that point to possible miscalculations by the Russian security services
