Romania, Bulgaria join Schengen zone after 13-year wait

Romania and Bulgaria became full members of the Schengen zone, expanding the borderless area to 29 members and ending a 13-year wait for the two eastern European countries.

Germany called for the introduction of border controls with Hungary

The head of the Ministry of the Interior of the federal state of Brandenburg, Michael Stübgen, announced the need to introduce controls with Hungary at the borders of the European Union. The newspaper Bild am Sonntag reports this.

Bulgaria, Romania take first steps into Europe’s passport-free zone

Bulgaria and Romania joined Europe’s Schengen area of free movement on Sunday (31 Marc), opening up travel by air and sea without border checks after a 13-year wait.

Austria To Veto Bulgarias, Romanias Accession To Schengen Zone - Foreign Minister

Austria will maintain its veto on Bulgaria's and Romania's possible accession to the European Union's passport-free Schengen zone until there is a decline in asylum seekers, illegal migration, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg has said.

EU ministers back border fences to deal with Eastern threats – EURACTIV.com

Several EU interior ministers gathered on Friday (21 January) to discuss how to step up the protection of EU external borders but failed to agree on a common approach, with options ranging from building fences at the borders to strengthening Schengen and migration legislation.

Belgium slammed for passport checks on Greek citizens

Members of the European Parliament for Greece have criticized the Belgian authorities for applying strict passport controls for Greek nationals at Brussels airport.

EU plans to allow Schengen border controls for three years for 'security'

The European Union released plans today to allow countries in the passport-free Schengen area to reintroduce border controls for security reasons for up to three years.

Not all terror risks can be eliminated: EU security commissioner

Despite strong efforts by security agencies to stamp out terror activities, not all attacks can be prevented, the EU Commissioner for Security Julian King said on Tuesday.

EU Imposes Border Check Crackdown in the Face of Increased Terror Threat

The EU is, from April 7, ramping up controls of its external borders, including checking all travelers - by air, sea and land - against the Schengen Information System (SIS), and Interpol's database of lost travel documents (SLTD).

EU leaders embrace multi-speed Europe amid tensions

France, Germany, Italy and Spain have backed the idea of a multi-speed EU, as the 28-nation bloc prepares to mark 60 years since its founding treaty.

EU Counts Up to €20bln Cost of Permanently Scrapping Schengen Area

The suspension of the Schengen agreement amid Europe's migration crisis is costing the EU billions of euros, the RAND Europe research organization reported.

Ukraine eyes visa-free regime with EU next month

Ukraine hopes to be granted a visa-free regime with the European Union (EU) as early as next month, Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman said on Thursday.

Sarkozy: EU needs reforms, no new members should be admitted. "There is no room for Turkey in the European Union"

France’s former President Nicolas Sarkozy has come up for a profound reform of the European Union following Great Britain’s referendum on its EU membership and for admitting no new members to the European Union.

Ahead EU summit, German, French industries urge preservation of Schengen Agreement

On the eve of a crucial European Union (EU) summit this week to hammer out a deal with Turkey over the refugee and migrant crisis, leading German and French industry groups urged European governments to preserve the visa-free Schengen system, warning that a collapse of the system would endanger the prosperity of the region.

Donald Tusk: Implementing Schengen rules foundation of EU solution to migrant crisis. He pledged assistance to FYROM

Visiting European Council President Donald Tusk said on Wednesday there is no alternative on implementing Schengen rules to deal with migrant crisis.

Making new borders within EU "very very bad development"

The mayor of the capital city of Austria on Thursday said the European Union (EU) has yet to realize a common policy over the refugees, stressing that making new borders within the union is negative.

Greece's exclusion from Schengen not to solve refugee crisis - Tusk

Greece's exclusion from the Schengen passport free travel zone would not resolve the ongoing refugee crisis that is testing Europe's cohesion, visiting European Council President Donald Tusk said  Tuesday.

Greece rejects EU partners criticism over refugee crisis as "counterproductive"

Greece dismissed on Wednesday as "counterproductive" the escalating criticism by its EU partners over the management of the refugee crisis after the publication of a European Commission report that found "serious deficiencies in the carrying out of external border controls" in the country.

Bruselas da tres meses a Atenas para registrar a los refugiados o impondrá controles en las fronteras

"Grecia está descuidando gravemente sus obligaciones y existen serias deficiencias en la realización de los controles en las fronteras exteriores, deficiencias que se deben ser subsanadas y tratadas por las autoridades griegas".

Greece ‘neglected’ border controls. EC gives Greece three months to improve its migration response.

Greece “seriously neglected its obligations” to control the EU’s external border, the European Commission warned Wednesday.