In a report on the Schengen area, the European Commission asks the Council, which brings together EU states, to allow Romania and Bulgaria to join the borderless area.

"While further efforts are needed to further strengthen the management of the external borders, make returns more efficient and increase police cooperation, Schengen is generally functional and robust," reads the European Commission's Report on the Schengen Area, quoted by local Adevarul.

One of the European Commission's priorities regarding the border-free area is the enlargement of Schengen, and in this regard, the Commission is asking the Council, which brings together the EU states together, to allow the accession of Romania and Bulgaria.

Austria vetoed Romania's entry into the Schengen area in early December last year, quoting an increase in illegal migration.

iulian@romania-insider.com

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