EC expects land border controls for Bulgaria and Romania to be lifted by the end of this year

EU Home Affairs Commissioner, Ylva Johansson, expects Bulgaria and Romania to join Schengen by land by the end of the year. On April 18, Johansson also said that the external borders of the European Union are very well protected by both countries. According to her, Bulgaria and Romania are doing better than other Schengen member states. In Johansson's presence, the Ministers of Interior of Bulgaria and Romania signed a joint document on strengthening cooperation.

Ylva Johansson, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs: "Two days ago the European Commission adopted the annual Schengen report and for the first time we made recommendations to the Council to commit to a specific date for the lifting of land borders controls. This is also a commitment of the Belgian Presidency and the subject will be discussed at the European Council in June."

Kalin Stoyanov, Bulgaria’s caretaker Minister of Interior: "As a result of the increased operational and search activity on organised crime groups involved in illegal migration. And last but not least - the very active dialogue with Turkey, since September 2023 we continue to see a steady trend of decreasing migration pressure on Bulgaria."

Marian-Catalin Predoiu, Romania's Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs: "I will speak in figures. Since the beginning of the year, in Romania, we have registered 3,200 illegal migrants crossing our borders. This shows that there is no risk of an increase in the illegal flow of migrants. I am convinced, and we are monitoring all the data, that the situation is similar in Bulgaria."