site.btaBucharest's First Political Reactions to Council's Decision on Bulgaria, Romania's Schengen Entry

Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis Saturday said that the Council of the European Union's decision to remove air and maritime internal border controls with Bulgaria and Romania as of March 2024 is an important step.

"This positive milestone result is due to the active involvement of all institutions with responsibilities concerning the matter, especially the Interior and Foreign Ministries," he said in a statement published on the official website of the Romanian presidential institution. He stressed the need for continued diplomatic efforts.

"Romania's top priority remains the full implementation of the Schengen acquis, going through the final stage, namely the abolition of internal land border controls, as foreseen in the decision adopted by the Council of the European Union," Iohannis noted.

In his words, Romania's entry into the Schengen air and maritime space is an important and useful step for Romanians.

The President added that Romania will strengthen its position among the Member States after it has acquired the status of a Schengen country. "Romania has been and remains a security provider, including in terms of protecting the EU's external borders," he noted.

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu also reacted to the announcement, saying that after "13 years of failure and humiliation, this government has begun an irreversible process" on December 30. "Next year, we will continue our efforts to complete this process," he wrote on Facebook.

Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu and Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu thanked all partners for the decision on Romania's Schengen entry in posts on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"We thank all EU partners and institutions for their support. Romania remains committed to a strong and secure Schengen area," Odobescu wrote.

Romanian MEP and People's Movement Party Leader Eugen Tomac expressed hope that a date will be set for Romania's Schengen entry by land at the next Justice and Home Affairs Council, arguing that this is what millions of Romanian citizens and entrepreneurs in the country are waiting for.

He added that he expects a clear and detailed presentation of the conditions Romania has accepted from Austria in the agreement announced by the Interior Ministry.

"We still have a lot of work to do before full integration, and that is why we have to keep the pressure on all participants because Romania deserves to be in Schengen," Tomac wrote on Facebook.