site.btaRomanian MEP Nicolae Stefanuta Says Brussels Would Not Accept Trilateral Balkan Schengen

Interviewed by BTA, Romanian MEP Nicolae Stefanuta said a fragmented Schengen area was not a solution and Brussels would not accept a Balkan Schengen without land border controls between Romania, Bulgaria and Greece. Stefanuta is Vice Chair of the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance in the European Parliament.

He said it would be unrealistic to expect Brussels to accept Greece, a Schengen country, to form its own "mini Schengen" with two countries which are not part of the EU's passport-free travel area.

The idea of a trilateral lifting of border controls came from Romanian MEPs Dacian Ciolos and Vlad Gheorghe, Greek MEP Georgios Kyrtsos and Bulgarian MP Daniel Lorer in late January. It was rejected by European Commissioner for Transport Adina-Ioana Valean in February.

Instead, Bucharest and Sofia could agree to facilitate cross-border traffic, Stefanuta said. He was referring to the long hours Romanian tourists spend in the summer waiting to enter Bulgaria, either for transit or for a holiday at the Bulgarian seaside. There are also the lorry drivers who wait in long queues at Giurgiu and Negru Voda, as well as at the other ferry crossings.

Asked what Romania and Bulgaria could do after they join the Schengen area by air and sea on March 31, Stefanuta said they should certainly have a stronger voice in Brussels and claim their rights together. "At the end of 2023, there were voices in Bucharest calling for the separation of Romania from Bulgaria. That would have been a big mistake. First, it would mean some extra costs at their common border, which, once both countries join Schengen, will be money down the drain. Second, separation would deteriorate bilateral relations. Third, such a solution would be viewed with great scepticism by our Western partners. Last but not least, the EU sees us as a package deal."

The Romanian MEP said the two countries should have more common foreign policy projects. Bucharest and Sofia could synchronize their foreign policy. It is very good they have launched joint infrastructure projects. "And once both countries enter Schengen, I would also like to see a train connecting Bucharest and Sofia in less than four hours," he said.

"When you have one foot on the bus, you will get the other one on too. And Austria will not be able to argue endlessly about migration. We need to keep up the pressure," said Nicolae Stefanuta.