Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced on Friday in Budapest that Romania will fully join the Schengen Area starting January 1, 2025. The announcement was made alongside Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán during a meeting of interior ministers from Romania, Austria, Bulgaria, and Hungary, focused on Schengen expansion. The final vote will take place in the JHA Council in three weeks, IPN reports.
“I am confident that after 13 years, Romania will achieve full Schengen membership by the end of this year. Beyond any electoral context in my country, this is the strongest message for Romanians - that we, as political leaders, have the resolve to defend our interests and do what is necessary both at the European and national levels to achieve our national objectives”, Ciolacu declared.
The visit comes as Hungary holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union until the end of this year, playing a crucial role in advancing Schengen enlargement.
“We agreed that all four countries (Romania, Bulgaria, Austria, and Hungary) will work together so that Romania becomes a Schengen land member by January 1. The decision will be made in Brussels on December 12, where Hungary’s EU presidency will submit an act to this effect. The formal decision will be taken by the interior ministers. It is unjust and unworthy for Romania not to be a Schengen member. With accession, the borders will open”, said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.
Ciolacu emphasized that this development follows an intense negotiation process, with clear signals from European officials affirming that Romania is ready to take full responsibility for protecting the EU’s external borders.
“I want to extend my special thanks to Prime Minister Orbán for his constant support regarding Romania’s full accession to the Schengen Area. I congratulate Hungary’s presidency of the Council of the European Union for its work during this period, particularly for keeping Schengen on the agenda. (...) I am glad that the strategy decided upon a few months ago, including together with Prime Minister Orbán, has yielded results, and we are achieving our objectives today”, the Romanian Prime Minister said.
Ciolacu reiterated Romania’s commitment to safeguarding the EU's external borders, as confirmed in discussions with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer.
On geopolitical issues, the two leaders also discussed the crisis in Ukraine, reaffirming Romania and Hungary’s strong support for Ukraine and Moldova.
“It is important to speak with one voice and convey a unified message: we will continue to stand by Ukraine and Moldova as partner states whose path to the European family must continue”, Ciolacu said.
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