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. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on more than 30 individuals and entities tied to a massive Iranian shadow banking network accused of laundering billions of dollars to benefit the regime in Tehran.
Azerbaijan has unveiled plans to export renewable electricity to Türkiye through the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, with a projected capacity of up to 1 gigawatt.
Two Armenian teenagers who accidentally crossed into Azerbaijani territory have been safely returned, easing tensions after a brief border incident.
President Donald Trump announced Friday that top U.S. officials will hold renewed trade talks with Chinese counterparts in London next week.
Central Asia’s growing relevance in the global critical minerals supply chain took center stage at the U.S.–Central Asia Forum hosted by the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center on June 4.
The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on more than 30 individuals and entities tied to a massive Iranian shadow banking network accused of laundering billions of dollars to benefit the regime in Tehran.
Azerbaijan has unveiled plans to export renewable electricity to Türkiye through the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, with a projected capacity of up to 1 gigawatt.
Two Armenian teenagers who accidentally crossed into Azerbaijani territory have been safely returned, easing tensions after a brief border incident.
President Donald Trump announced Friday that top U.S. officials will hold renewed trade talks with Chinese counterparts in London next week.
Central Asia’s growing relevance in the global critical minerals supply chain took center stage at the U.S.–Central Asia Forum hosted by the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center on June 4.
As peace talks progress, voices from Yerevan, Tbilisi, and Baku reveal hopes, concerns, and expectations for a future shaped by trade, trust, and generational change in the South Caucasus.
A bridge collapse in the Vygonichsky district of Russia’s Bryansk region, near the Ukrainian border, caused a train derailment and a traffic accident early Sunday, killing at least seven people and leaving 30 injured, according to emergency services.
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has confirmed it carried out a third targeted attack against the Crimean Bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge, early Tuesday morning, marking a new escalation in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
A strong 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture early Monday, causing no reported injuries or damage, and no tsunami warning was issued, officials confirmed.
Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine ended abruptly in Istanbul on Monday, lasting just over an hour amid mounting tensions following a major Ukrainian drone strike on Russian strategic bombers and renewed pressure from the U.S. for a breakthrough.
The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on more than 30 individuals and entities tied to a massive Iranian shadow banking network accused of laundering billions of dollars to benefit the regime in Tehran.
President Donald Trump announced Friday that top U.S. officials will hold renewed trade talks with Chinese counterparts in London next week.
Central Asia’s growing relevance in the global critical minerals supply chain took center stage at the U.S.–Central Asia Forum hosted by the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center on June 4.
China is intensifying its strategic use of rare earth exports as leverage in the ongoing trade dispute with the United States, signaling a shift in the battleground of economic confrontation.
Germany will increase its military personnel by up to 60,000 troops as part of efforts to meet new NATO force and readiness targets, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced Friday, citing the country’s responsibility as Europe's largest economy.
The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on more than 30 individuals and entities tied to a massive Iranian shadow banking network accused of laundering billions of dollars to benefit the regime in Tehran.
Azerbaijan has unveiled plans to export renewable electricity to Türkiye through the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, with a projected capacity of up to 1 gigawatt.
Two Armenian teenagers who accidentally crossed into Azerbaijani territory have been safely returned, easing tensions after a brief border incident.
President Donald Trump announced Friday that top U.S. officials will hold renewed trade talks with Chinese counterparts in London next week.
Central Asia’s growing relevance in the global critical minerals supply chain took center stage at the U.S.–Central Asia Forum hosted by the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center on June 4.
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