After more than a decade of waiting, Romania and Bulgaria will become full members of Europe’s Schengen free-travel area starting January 1, 2025, following Austria's decision to lift its veto.
The move comes after Austria lifted its veto against Romania and Bulgaria's Schengen membership, which had been tied to concerns over irregular migration along the Western Balkan route.
Earlier this year, Romania and Bulgaria gained partial access to the Schengen area, with air and sea border controls removed. However, land border negotiations continued through 2024. Austria insisted on the stricter border controls for reducing irregular migration, which played a key role in the breakthrough. Austria's decision was influenced by significant improvements in border management by both countries, resulting in a drop in migrant flows, particularly near Hungary—a major route to northern Europe.
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis welcomed the decision, emphasizing the economic benefits, including faster border crossings, lower costs for businesses, and a boost in foreign investment. He called the move "a major step for the country's economy and international image."
This marks the end of over ten years of efforts by Romania and Bulgaria to join the Schengen zone, strengthening their ties with the broader European Union.
The U.S. ambassador to Türkiye says Israel and Syria have reached a ceasefire deal supported by Türkiye, Jordan, and regional actors after cross-bor...
The Trump administration has completed a controversial prisoner swap with Venezuela, returning around 250 deported Venezuelans in exchange for 10 Amer...
U.S. President Donald Trump signed the GENIUS Act into law on Friday, creating the first U.S. regulatory framework for dollar-backed stablecoins and m...
German authorities have arrested a Libyan man accused of overseeing torture and sexual abuse at a notorious prison in Tripoli, the International Crimi...
The South Caucasus—comprising Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia—has long been a geopolitical crossroads where regional and global powers intersect.
China has accused foreign intelligence agencies of smuggling rare earth metals out of the country by manipulating shipping logistics and recruiting insiders, according to a statement from the Ministry of State Security.
An explosion at a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department training facility has reportedly claimed the lives of three deputies, according to local media reports on Friday. However, officials have not yet confirmed any casualties.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone call on Friday to discuss regional developments, with particular focus on the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Syria, according to a statement released by the Kremlin press service.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will send an upgraded ‘version 3.0’ free-trade agreement to their heads of government for approval in October, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday after regional talks in Kuala Lumpur.
Germany's export slump since 2021 is largely driven by deep-rooted competitiveness issues, the Bundesbank warned in its latest report, calling for urgent structural reforms.
Israeli researchers have unveiled an artificial intelligence tool that can determine a person’s true biological age from tiny DNA samples with remarkable precision.
Two Harry Potter actresses, Emma Watson and Zoe Wanamaker, have each received a six-month driving ban after separate speeding offences, both sentenced on the same day at a Buckinghamshire court.
North Korea has stopped foreign tourists from visiting its new Wonsan-Kalma resort just weeks after it welcomed the first Russian visitors.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Coca-Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar in the U.S., though the company has not confirmed the claim.
The U.S. ambassador to Türkiye says Israel and Syria have reached a ceasefire deal supported by Türkiye, Jordan, and regional actors after cross-border strikes this week heightened tensions.
The Trump administration has completed a controversial prisoner swap with Venezuela, returning around 250 deported Venezuelans in exchange for 10 American detainees.
Congo and the M23 rebel group have agreed on a declaration of principles after months of Qatar-mediated talks, aiming to end fighting in the country’s east.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment