Schengen: A great idea but the performance lame
The European Commission expressed expectation of Bulgaria and Romania in Schengen to save billions of euros in companies in both countries in its fourth report on the state of the Schengen space published Wednesday.
| « With full accession to the Schengen area, Bulgaria and Romania are expected to save billions of euros, given that with internal borders, companies operating in these two countries should pay billions a year as a result of increased logistics costs, delayed impact on supplies of goods and equipment and increased fuel costs. » |
It cites an opinion from the Institute for Economic Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, according to which Bulgaria would lose over 834 million euros annually from border control over ground borders, including direct, indirect and environmental consequences.
A quarter has increased traffic across the Danube Bridge at Rousse after entering Schengen
The Commission also refers to a regional initiative between Austria, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, stating that it already includes measures on the Bulgarian-Turkish border « for more
Effective prevention of threats before they reach the Schengen area. «
Police from Austria, Hungary and Romania will help Bulgarian in the border guard with Turkey
It was agreed on the initiative of Austria and as a condition for the overthrow of the veto on the entry of Bulgaria and Romania in Schengen and envisages the sending of additional border officials of the Bulgarian-Turkish and Romanian-Hungarian borders.
Already in Schengen: The symbolic lifting of the barrier between Romania and Bulgaria (video)
A good idea but not a performance
The European Commission report indicates the benefits of Schengen, but admits that the implementation of the rules is a major problem for compliance. It is argued that half of the countries do not have enough and trained employees to carry out the border checks, and that most countries experience difficulties in digitizing border procedures.
The European Commission emphasizes that « the Schengen space is a major driver of economic growth, competitiveness and economic sovereignty of Europe » and that with the emergence of geopolitical tension, free movement is a strategic advantage for the European economy and for reducing its dependence on external resources.
The Commission says « Schengen is not just a benefit, but a necessity » as protection against organized criminal networks or hostile state or non -state participants who cannot be effectively weaned by individual countries. «
After the admission of Bulgaria to Schengen: How many children were not brought out without consent
It concludes that the Schengen rules are well applied throughout the free-travel area and that they have led to a decrease in migration to the lowest levels since 2021.
At the same time, it is reported that 65% of the recommendations given in the Schengen and Schengen and
The monitoring mechanism has not yet been implemented and it is recommended that efforts focus on improving the coordination of policies, police cooperation, and to accelerate the digitization of procedures and systems to increase security.
The report reminds that the Schengen countries have promised to introduce an electronic entrance and exit system from 2026, giving pre -permission to third -country citizens. It will require preliminary electronic registration by non -European citizens wishing to enter Schengen, standardized border control and security checks in all countries of the Wisted Space.
