EU faces tough choices ahead of summit as China emerges strengthened
When European Union leaders agreed in April to hold a summit with China in late July, they believed they would enter the talks from a position of stre...
Romania and Bulgaria may become full members of Europe's borderless Schengen travel zone in January 2025, Hungary said on Friday, adding a final decision would be made at next month's meeting of EU interior ministers.
Romania and Bulgaria may become full members of Europe's borderless Schengen travel zone in January 2025, Hungary said on Friday, adding a final decision would be made at next month's meeting of EU interior ministers.
Romania and Bulgaria, both European Union and NATO members, partly joined Schengen in March, after an agreement with Austria which initially opposed their joining on the grounds they needed to do more to prevent illegal immigration.
While air and maritime border checks between them and the other 27 countries in the travel zone were lifted, negotiations with Austria over land entry have continued through 2024.
"The two countries have made significant steps to gain full membership," Hungarian Interior Minister Sandor Pinter told a news conference after talks with his Romanian, Bulgarian and Austrian counterparts.
"We are...one step closer to Bulgaria and Romania becoming full members of Schengen."
Pinter said a package of security measures would be presented at a meeting of EU interior ministers on Dec. 11, including arrangements for at least 100 border guards to protect the border between Turkey and Bulgaria.
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced on Monday that the two countries would join the Schengen area next year but described the Budapest meeting, where the four interior ministers would agree the final document, as "crucial".
Ciolacu said the Dutch parliament - which has opposed Bulgaria's joining - would also need to approve the document.
Romania and Bulgaria are on major routes for the illegal trade in arms and drugs as well as human trafficking, but the European Commission said after a thorough investigation they met all Schengen requirements.
Romania has described Austrian opposition as unjustified, citing data from border agency Frontex showing illegal migrants have mainly entered the EU from the Western Balkans, not Romania.
The U.S. economy faces a 40% risk of recession in the second half of 2025, JP Morgan analysts said on Wednesday, citing rising tariffs and stagflation concerns.
China has ramped up efforts to protect communities impacted by flood control measures, introducing stronger compensation policies and direct aid from the central government.
Severe rain in Venezuela has caused rivers to overflow and triggered landslides, sweeping away homes and collapsing a highway bridge, with five states affected and no casualties reported so far.
A malfunction in the radar transmission system at the Area Control Center in Milan suspended more than 300 flights at the weekend, across northwest Italy since Saturday evening according to Italy's air traffic controller Enav (National Agency for Flight Assistance).
Thousands of protesters rallied in Bangkok on Saturday, demanding Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra resign as political and economic tensions mount.
The European Union has extended the restrictive measures on Russia for an additional six months, until 31 January 2026, due to the Moscow's ongoing actions destabilizing the situation in Ukraine.
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested reviewing subsidies granted to Elon Musk’s companies to save federal funds, reigniting a public feud after Musk’s sharp criticism of the government’s latest tax and spending bill.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 1st July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy praised Türkiye’s strategic role in regional peace and stability during his visit to Ankara, highlighting its efforts in addressing the Ukraine war, the Gaza crisis, and broader UK-Türkiye relations.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s president has pledged to pursue justice for victims of the conflict in the east despite a peace deal with Rwanda, calling the accord a hopeful yet fragile step toward regional stability.
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