After a long-awaited 13-year period, Bulgaria and Romania have partially joined Europe's Schengen area of free movement. The two countries, which reached an agreement late last year, have now become part of the continent's free-travel zone by air and sea. This development holds significant practical and symbolic value, even though full membership including land crossings was not granted due to concerns raised by Austria regarding irregular migration.

On Sunday, controls at Bulgaria and Romania's air and sea borders were lifted, allowing for smoother travel for citizens. This milestone has been welcomed by many, including Mincho Yurukov, a traveler who arrived at Sofia airport from Berlin and remarked that this achievement makes travel easier and reinforces the sense of being European.

Established in 1985, the Schengen area permits over 400 million people within the European Union to travel freely without internal border checks. With the partial inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania, the Schengen zone now encompasses 29 members, including 25 EU member states and Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her satisfaction regarding the lifting of internal air and sea border controls, stating that it is a great success for both countries. She emphasized the shared commitment to building a stronger and more united Europe for all citizens.

However, despite the positive implications for travelers, truck drivers have been left feeling excluded since they continue to face long queues at borders with neighboring European countries. The UNTRR, one of Romania's main road transport unions, has called for urgent measures to ensure full integration into the Schengen area, citing the heavy financial burden caused by prolonged waiting times. Romanian hauliers claim to lose billions of euros annually due to the extensive delays experienced at borders, with wait times ranging from 8 to 16 hours at the Hungarian border and from 20 to 30 hours at the Bulgarian border, at times even lasting up to three days.

The slow progress towards full Schengen integration has also sparked frustration among Bulgarian businesses. Vasil Velev, president of the Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association (BICA), pointed out that only 3 percent of Bulgarian goods are transported by air and sea, while the majority, 97 percent, relies on land transportation. Velev expressed discontent over the fact that while Bulgaria has achieved partial membership in the Schengen zone for air and sea travel, there is uncertainty surrounding when the remaining 97 percent will be able to enjoy the same benefits.

Romanian Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu emphasized that the process of Schengen integration is irreversible and must be completed by 2024, including the extension to land borders. One key factor inhibiting the application of Schengen rules to Bulgaria and Romania's land borders is Austria's concerns regarding their management of irregular migration through these routes.

Bulgaria's Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov has announced the country's goal of becoming a full member of the Schengen zone by the end of this year, which would involve the removal of border checkpoints for road and rail transportation as well. The Romanian prime minister has also expressed optimism, stating that negotiations on land borders are expected to conclude this year.

To address irregular migration, Bulgaria and Romania have joined a regional police initiative along with Austria, Greece, and Slovakia. Additionally, the EU's border agency, Frontex, plans to triple the number of its officers in Bulgaria to help manage the flow of people crossing into the EU from Turkey.

The partial inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen area is a significant step towards greater integration and freedom of movement within the European Union. While challenges remain, efforts by both countries to address concerns and fulfill requirements signal progress towards full membership, which would further facilitate seamless travel for citizens and businesses alike.