site.btaGreece Takes Initiative to Support Romania and Bulgaria's Membership in Schengen Area

Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum Notis Mitarachi presented in Austria on Wednesday and Thursday an initiative in support of the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area and will visit both countries next week, Agerpres reported, citing a press release from the Greek Ministry.

On Thursday, Mitarachi met with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer in Vienna, and on Wednesday with Interior Minister Gerhard Karner.

Mitarachi explained that the  expansion of the Schengen area by the accession of Romania and Bulgaria will be of direct benefit to Greece, as his country will be connected by land to other EU member states within the free movement area.

Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU in 2007, and in 2011 successfully completed the evaluation procedures for entry into the Schengen area, as stated in the conclusions of the Justice and Home Affairs Council of 9 June 2011. Since then, the European Commission has repeatedly stated that both countries are ready to join the Schengen area. In 2022, at the initiative of Bulgaria and Romania, a new EU on-the-ground mission was held, which confirmed that the two countries continue to meet the strict Schengen standards and have exemplary achievements in their implementation, the Greek Ministry said, quoted by Agerpress.

The press release recalls that while Croatia's application for Schengen membership was accepted by the Justice and Home Affairs Council in December last year, Romania and Bulgaria met the resistance of two countries, Austria and the Netherlands. Mitarachi noted that the vast majority of member states expressed support for both countries, stressing that integration will strengthen confidence in the EU and its security.

Mitarachi stressed that Greece is taking the initiative to support the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area. This expansion will also bring direct benefits to Greece, as it will help stimulate economic activity through land links with the Schengen area and increase the security of external borders.

There are issues that need to be resolved, in particular regarding migration and the protection of foreign borders, Mitarachi stressed, noting that this issue requires a more coordinated, but also stricter European policy. He said that he is in contact with the Swedish presidency and the European Commission for this initiative.