On 28 March, the Delegation of the European Union in Uzbekistan held an event to welcome Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen area as of March 31, 2024.

It was noted that their accession would boost travel, trade, and tourism. 

“Accession of Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen area is a landmark achievement in the European integration project that will allow citizens and businesses to benefit fully from their rights to free movement. I congratulate both countries on this achievement. It is also good news for Uzbekistan, as it brings new opportunities for travel and exchange. Schengen remains a crown jewel of the European Union that could also serve as an inspiration to the countries of Central Asia”, Charlotte Adriaen, EU Ambassador in Uzbekistan, said during the celebration.

Europe’s Schengen area of free movement is one of the main achievements of European integration. It was launched in 1985 between five EU countries – France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg and has gradually expanded to become the most extensive free travel area globally. This is the ninth round of the Schengen area’s expansion, extending over 4.5 million square kilometers and having a population of 450 million. It will comprise 29 countries, 25 of them being EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.  It allows people to travel freely between member countries without going through border controls.

Nasiba Ziyodullayeva, UzA