The Romania and Bulgaria included in the European Union partially joined the visa -free space of the Schengen zone.
On Sunday night, March 31, border control at airports, as well as in seaports, but border control on the land borders of these countries is still preserved.
Romania and Bulgaria became EU participants in 2007. Austria for a long time opposed the accession of two countries to Schengen, fearing a possible influx of refugees. The agreements were reached only at the end of last year.
The entry into the Schengen zone of the two countries occurred after the actual 13-year expectation. Despite the preserved restrictions, the abolition of control on air and sea borders has an important symbolic meaning.
The Chairman of the European Commission Ursula von der Layen wrote on the social network X that this will benefit millions of EU citizens throughout Europe and make the Schengen zone even stronger.
Ilva Johansson, a member of the European Commission, who oversees internal affairs, said that at the next stage, control at the land borders will also be canceled, the topic will be discussed during the year between the countries participating in the Commonwealth.