The vote
In a resolution passed last summer by 526 votes in favour, 57 against and 42 abstentions, the European Parliament said that both countries had already met the requirements needed to be admitted to Schengen. Members regret the Council's decision of 8 December 2022 to reject their membership "without presenting any legal justification relating to the membership criteria". According to Parliament, the fact that Romania and Bulgaria are still outside the visa-free zone weighs socially and economically on the businesses and populations of the two countries. Bulgarian and Romanian citizens are discriminated against because when they travel or do business abroad they face delays, bureaucratic difficulties and additional costs compared to their counterparts in the Schengen area.
But what is the Schengen area?
The Schengen Area is an agreement between some European countries that abolishes internal border controls between them, allowing the free movement of people within this area. The Schengen Agreement allows citizens of member countries to travel within the area without having to show their passport or undergo border checks when moving between member countries. The Schengen area currently includes most, but not all, countries of the European Union (EU). Some EU countries, such as Ireland, Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria, were not part of the Schengen Agreement at the time of my last update. Some non-EU countries, such as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein, also participate in the Schengen Agreement.
What are the main advantages of belonging to the Schengen Area?
Free movement of people: One of the main advantages is the free movement of people between member countries of the Schengen Area. This means that citizens of Schengen countries can travel across internal borders without having to undergo border checks or require a separate visa for each country. This greatly simplifies travel within the area. Trade Facilitation: The Schengen Area also facilitates trade between member countries, as it eliminates border controls for goods. This helps stimulate cross-border trade and reduce the cost of transporting goods. Simplification of business travel: Business people and companies benefit from the facilitation of business travel within the Schengen Area. They can attend meetings, conferences and do business in different countries without significant obstacles. Facilitated tourism: The absence of internal border controls makes it more attractive for tourists to visit more than one country within the Schengen Area during a single visit. This promotes cross-border tourism and can lead to increased tourism revenue for member countries. Security cooperation: Schengen Area member countries cooperate closely on security and external border controls. This helps prevent cross-border crime, drug trafficking and terrorism. Information sharing and cooperation between law enforcement agencies are key points of this collaboration. Simplification of transport: The elimination of border controls and cooperation between countries make transit through Schengen countries easier for people using public transport such as trains and buses. This improves transport efficiency and reduces travel times.
What are the effects for those investing in Bulgaria?
Access to the Schengen area can be seen as excellent news for those who invest or have invested in Bulgaria for the following reasons:
Through the simplification of border access processes, it is expected that joining the Schengen area will finally lead to an increase in the flow of tourists entering Bulgaria, a breath of fresh air for the accommodation facilities not only in large historic cities such as Sofia, but also of the structures that exist in the mountain area (winter tourism) and on the Black Sea. Work trips will also be easier through the Schengen area. This means greater simplicity in the import and export of company know-how, which will finally be able to play without constraints in the European context, thus raising the level
Being inside Schengen is further confirmation of the fact that Bulgaria is traveling in the direction of the West and not the East and is becoming more and more European. This means "growth and stability", or the ideal humus for anyone who wants to invest in this country.
