Internal Affairs Ylva Johansson

The Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union plans to include the topic of lifting land border checks for Bulgaria and Romania in the Schengen area on the agenda for the European interior ministers' meeting in December.

European Commissioner for Internal Affairs Ylva Johansson addressed the European Parliament in Strasbourg, urging the abolition of land border controls for Bulgaria and Romania by the end of 2024. She emphasized that both countries had fulfilled all necessary requirements to join the Schengen area, highlighting the importance of free movement for EU citizens.

A decision on Bulgaria and Romania's full membership in the Schengen area for free travel is expected by the end of the year, according to Yordanka Chobanova, head of Bulgaria's EU permanent representation, as reported by BNR.

Ukrainians with temporary protection will be able to stay in Bulgaria until March 4, 2024. This was decided by the caretaker government at its meeting yesterday.

Temporary protection allows Ukrainian citizens who have acquired this status to work and study in the country. Children can attend a kindergarten or nursery if there are available spots.

European Union interior ministers discussed on Thursday ways to curb illegal immigration and return more migrants amid a surge in arrivals following lows during the pandemic, Reuters reported.

The agency notes that controversial ideas about border fences and centers for asylum seekers outside Europe have been revived.

Both Germany and France have opened the borders, while a smaller number of countries, including Spain and Portugal, should open their borders to their neighbors by the end of the month.