In the series of permanent coordination efforts on the subject of the elimination of controls at internal land borders, related to the accession process of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area, on October 18th, Cătălin Predoiu, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Internal Affairs had a new discussion, through videoconference, with Mr. Atanas Ilkov, the Bulgarian Minister of the Interior.
The two dignitaries reviewed the main developments in the Schengen file. They exchanged views on the conclusions of the JHA Council meeting on October 10th, during which the Hungarian Presidency, the European Commission and a number of member states openly expressed the conclusion that the two countries are ready to enter the Schengen Area with land borders and support for achieving this milestone in 2024.
The elimination of controls at the air and sea borders, on March 31st, 2024, proceeded without problems, the measures agreed upon with the accession decision were fully implemented, and the operative results demonstrate this fact, in the sense that the ministers’ presentations provided the premise for the preparation adopting the decision to eliminate land border controls in the shortest possible time.
The two ministers also addressed topics related to bilateral cooperation, especially the fight against organized crime and illegal migration, highlighting the activities carried out jointly recently, with very good results.
The two sides agreed to continue close coordination on this subject to achieve the common goal in the shortest possible time.
During the conversation, a direct bilateral meeting was agreed in Sofia on 23.10.2024, before the opening of the Salzburg Forum, which will take place in Sofia on 23-24.10.2024 in the context of the Bulgarian rotating presidency.
The Romanian minister will participate in the Salzburg Forum accompanied by a government and ministerial delegation.
