EC: Bulgaria and Romania are technically in Schengen

15:44 03.12.2013
Romania

Bulgaria and Romania are technically in Schengen like the other EU member states that have not explicitly demanded otherwise.

This was announced at a press conference by Michele Cercone, spokesperson of EU Commissioner of Home Affairs Cecilia Malmstrom, informed the Bulgarian news agency BTA.

The comment concerns the European Border Surveillance System (Eurosur) which enters into force on Monday and in which Bulgaria and Romania take part and are represented in the group of the Schengen states.

Cercone clarified that from a purely legal point of view, Bulgaria and Romania are part of Schengen, with the exception of the addendum to the intergovernmental agreement, which regulates the free of border control entrance of citizens of the two countries.

The European Border Surveillance System (Eurosur) aims at saving the lives of those who put themselves in danger to reach Europe's shores.

It will also seek to equip the EU and its Member States with better tools to prevent cross-border crimes, such as human trafficking or drug trafficking, while at the same time detect and provide assistance to small migrant boats in distress, in full compliance with European and international obligations, including the principle of non-refoulement.

Adapted from novinite.com

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