Bulgaria and the price of Schengen freedom

The Schengen zone was formed in year 1985 with the aim to remove the internal borders between the member states and thus to encourage the free movement of people and their integration. The price for that Schengen freedom required many efforts and harmony among the member countries as far as visa issuance rules, coordination and cooperation among the police forces, and fight against organized crime were concerned. Once the Schengen zone was formed and later its members increased in number was formed the Schengen Information System, that helped the zone authorities in exchanging information about the movement of people and goods.

According to the member states of the Schengen zone, the two countries that were last accepted in the European Union – Bulgaria and Romania, still have issues to fight against. These include the problem with the organized crime and the problem with the corruption. The new report that the European Commission is expected to give to Sofia is expected in the end of this year. Until then, the country will go through elections and will have new government. At that time, a new report will also be issued from the Justice and Home Affairs Council. Bulgarians hope that the new government will have enough time to start its work and to give its signals to the European Union and the Schengen zone about its priorities and work plans. Eventually, the country hopes to get positive reports and to be accepted as a member state of the Schengen zone in the near future.