Page 43 - bne IntelliNews monthly magazine May 2024

bne May 2024 Southeast Europe I 43
the invasion] to a major war and the question is where the red line will be. We are going to enter a large-scale global conflict the likes of which we haven’t seen since World War II in the next one or two months,” Vucic told RTS in September 2022.
While the theme is a recurrent one, Vucic has recently stepped up both
his forecasts for the global situation and his criticisms of global powers for undermining international institutions such as the UN.
This comes in advance of a critical meeting of the Council of Europe in May, when diplomats are expected to decide whether to admit Kosovo to the organisation.
Kosovo unilaterally declared indepen- dence from Serbia back in 2008, and Bel- grade has lobbied intensively to keep the new country out of the UN, the Council of Europe and other international organ- isations. Belgrade has accused Western countries of breaking international law by recognising Kosovo’s independence after it broke away from Serbia.
This is also a sensitive time in Serbian domestic politics after the December 2023 general and municipal elections, which sparked a wave of protests after opposition politicians claimed both the national vote and the mayoral vote in the capital Belgrade had been rigged.
Part of Vucic’s popularity and the repeated electoral successes of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) rest on their ability to portray themselves as protectors of stability in Serbia.
Bulgaria and Romania join air and sea Schengen area
Denitsa Koseva in Sofia
Bulgaria and Romania joined the Schengen border-free area on March 31 after years of waiting and repeated vetoes by Schengen members. However, the two countries are only admitted to the air and sea Schengen area, and it is not clear when they will be allowed to lift land borders with Schengen members.
Despite that, accession to Schengen will bring Bulgaria and Romania significant advantages, particularly in tourism and trade. Starting March 31, EU citizens can travel to and from the two countries without passport checks, which is expected to save significant time and efforts.
It took the two countries a quarter
of a century to get to this point with Bulgaria being granted visa-free travel before joining the EU – in 2000 – while Romania followed later, after fulfilling certain conditions.
“The [European] Commission strongly welcomes this achievement, which follows the historic Council decision of December 2023. The Schengen accession of these two Member States will make
the common area more attractive by significantly expanding the world's largest common area without internal border controls,” the EC said in a statement on March 30.
“Tomorrow marks an important day: Bulgaria and Romania join the Schengen family. I welcome the lifting of internal air and sea border checks. This is a
great success for both countries. And
a historic moment for the Schengen area – the largest area of free movement
in the world. Together, we are building a stronger, more united Europe for all our citizens,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on March 30.
Back in 2011, the EC confirmed in the Schengen Evaluation reports that Bulgaria and Romania had met all requirements to be fully part of the Schengen area. The lifting of air and sea borders was recommended by the EC several times but there was no consensus
Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov and other top officials celebrate the lifting of air and sea borders at Sofia Airport. / government.bg
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