The accession of Romania and Bulgaria to Schengen also contributes to the security of Slovenia

“`html

Brussels – Full membership of Bulgaria and Romania in Schengen will also contribute to greater security for Slovenia, said Slovenian Interior Minister Boštjan Poklukar upon the EU interior ministers’ decision to abolish controls at the land borders between these two countries and other Schengen member states.

As he said, he welcomes the entry of Romania and Bulgaria into the Schengen area, “because it will somewhat reduce pressure on the Schengen border with Croatia, as well as in Hungary, which also means greater security for Slovenia and, ultimately, for the entire European Union”.

He emphasized, however, that joining Schengen for Bulgaria and Romania does not only represent responsibility but mainly shows the trust of other member states in them. “I believe that both countries will carry out their tasks on the external Schengen border exemplary,” the minister said.

Following the decision of the EU interior ministers in Brussels, on January 1, 2025, they will abolish personal checks at the land borders of Bulgaria and Romania with other Schengen member states and at their mutual border. In accordance with the agreement reached in November by the interior ministers of Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary, and Austria, targeted control in accordance with the Schengen Code will still be implemented for at least half a year at the Hungarian-Romanian and Romanian-Bulgarian borders. Controls at airports and ports were abolished at the end of March this year. (December 12)

“`