In a speech to the plenary of the European Parliament, held in Brussels on 10-11 April, MEP Victor Negrescu marked Romania’s accession to the Schengen area of free movement, with its air and sea borders, from 31 March 2024.

“Romanians can now travel freely by air, Romanian goods can be transported more easily by air and sea, our country can issue Schengen visas, and Romania has become a de facto member of the decision-making structures of the free movement area,” Negrescu said in the plenary of the European Parliament.

 A constant supporter of this objective of European integration, Victor Negrescu stressed that this is a “moment that has been waited for over 13 years”, for which he has actively campaigned together with his colleagues.

“We are delighted with this victory and continue to support full Schengen membership, calling for a decision by the end of the year”, he noted.

Initiator of several campaigns in support of Romania’s entry into the free movement area, Negrescu has been a constant advocate of Romania’s accession to the Schengen area, contributing to initiating the European Parliament’s resolution of support for this cause, that also generated a debate in the European Parliament plenary, and negotiating directly with European leaders in support of Romania’s Schengen accession.

On 31 March 2024, Romania joined the Schengen free movement area, together with Bulgaria, ending a 13-year period of waiting for the green light from EU member states. Schengen rules, including those on Schengen visa issuance, have thus started to apply in both countries, and internal air and sea border controls will be lifted, with a subsequent decision on the integration of the two countries into Schengen with land borders being negotiated and awaited.

European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, has proposed to the Council to set a date this year for the lifting of internal land border controls for Romania and Bulgaria.

At the same time, a report on the future of the single market by former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, which was debated by leaders of the 27 EU countries at a special summit in Brussels, calls for a deadline to be set this year for lifting land controls between Romania, Bulgaria, and the rest of the Schengen free movement area.