Bulgaria: the protests will not be an obstacle for the Schengen accession

During an official visit in Bucharest the Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Vigenin assured his Romanian counterpart that the long protests against the government in Bulgaria will not impede the attempt of the two countries to access the passport-free Schengen zone. According to the Foreign Affairs Minister, the undergoing protests in Sofia will not lead to a situation in which problems will arise for Romania and Bulgaria to join the no visa Schengen zone. Mr. Vigenin pointed out that the Bulgarian Government and the Parliament are active and will do their share of the work in order to prepare the country for joining the Schengen zone. According to him the current political situation in Bulgaria should not have an impact on the possible decision that concern the entry into Schengen that is expected to be taken by the end of this year.

The Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the two countries will coordinate their positions, aiming to cover all requirements that are needed in order for them to be accepted in the free movement zone of Schengen, as their accession is already listed in the agenda of the Council for Justice and Home Affairs, which will take place in December this year. Romania and Bulgaria will join their Schengen acceptance campaigns.