Hungary has strongly urged that Romania and Bulgaria finalize their full membership in the Schengen Area by the end of 2024. Here are the main points surrounding this important proposal:
- Hungary’s Firm Stance: Prime Minister Viktor Orban asserts that Romania and Bulgaria deserve full Schengen membership, highlighting the need to resolve the ongoing delays.
- Critique of Asylum System: Orban points to failures in the EU’s asylum system, arguing that these issues have hindered the accession process for both countries.
- Prolonged Wait for Membership: Romania and Bulgaria have pursued Schengen membership for over ten years, yet they face obstacles primarily related to irregular migration.
- Achieved Partial Membership: Although both countries gained partial access to Schengen through air and sea borders on March 31, 2024, they still encounter restrictions at land borders.
- Significant Financial Impacts: Remaining outside the Schengen Area inflicts substantial financial losses; Bulgaria incurs costs exceeding €834 million annually, while Romania faces losses of approximately €2.32 billion.
- Economic Benefits of Full Membership: Full integration into Schengen is likely to boost tourism and economic prospects by reducing long wait times at borders.
- EU Council’s Upcoming Review: The EU Council plans to assess the progress of Romania and Bulgaria regarding Schengen membership on October 10, 2024.
- Hungary’s Presidency Focus: As the current holder of the EU Council presidency, Hungary prioritizes the full accession of Romania and Bulgaria to Schengen.
- Optimism Among Officials: Romanian and Bulgarian officials remain hopeful that they will finalize full Schengen membership soon, citing a better negotiating position.
- Strengthening Security Measures: Hungarian officials contend that full Schengen membership will enhance security more effectively than current measures.
Overall, these discussions signify a crucial moment for Romania and Bulgaria, potentially leading to significant advancements in their integration.
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