site.btaEU Home Affairs Commissioner Johansson Optimistic About Schengen by Land Decision for Bulgaria and Romania by December

European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson expressed optimism that the Council of the EU will decide to remove border checks at the Bulgarian and Romanian Schengen borders before her term ends, Johansson said, speaking to journalists on Thursday.

"I hope […] before I leave my mandate to my successor […] to see Romania and Bulgaria have the lift of their internal border controls," Johansson said. "We have seen a very, very smooth and good experience at their air borders, and now I think it’s time to lift the controls at their land borders. I hope that it will be able to happen while I’m still in charge," she added.

The current European Commission is expected to operate until December 1, 2024.

Johansson also spoke of the importance of maintaining free movement in Schengen.

"Germany just introduced new border controls that has not been there for a long time," she said and added “It’s important that these border controls are carried out in a way that will not cause problems for the cross-border travelling, and especially not for the commuters."

BTA reported earlier on Thursday that the Justice and Home Affairs Council will review a report from the Hungarian Presidency regarding how Bulgaria and Romania are implementing Schengen legislation. The meeting's agenda does not include a vote on any decisions.