Source: Financial Times [UK]
“The EU is on Thursday set to formally approve the full accession of Bulgaria and Romania to its Schengen area of free movement, at a time when the zone is jeopardised by the reimposition of border controls by a number of bloc members. Romania and Bulgaria joined the EU in 2007, but did not accede to Schengen because of concerns over corruption and irregular migration. They were allowed to partially join in March, but countries including Austria vetoed their full membership. Vienna’s decision last month to lift its veto paved the way for ministers to authorise the removal of the remaining checks at Romania and Bulgaria’s land borders with the rest of the EU by January 1, according to EU diplomats.” (12/12/24)