Minister of Economy and Industry Bogdan Bogdanov held an online meeting with the Romanian Minister of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism Stefan-Radu Oprea. The two discussed the losses that businesses and investors from both countries are suffering from the non-admission of Bulgaria and Romania to Schengen. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry Nikolay Pavlov.
The ministers stressed that both countries were more than ready to join the Schengen area and discussed the effect on business of the delay. Bogdanov and Oprea pointed out that membership in the Schengen area will free the traffic at the borders and boost the economic development of the two countries. It will also have a positive impact on improving transport connectivity and developing logistics infrastructure.
“Bulgaria is absolutely ready to be a full member of Schengen. The efforts made by our governments to be included in the Schengen area, hopefully by the end of 2023, will be a key moment for the further economic development of the region,” Bogdanov pointed out.
The Minister of Economy and Industry stressed that Schengen membership is important for companies operating in all sectors of the Bulgarian economy, as well as for foreign investors in Bulgaria. “It will promote economic relations in the whole region and will increase the interest of investors to both countries,” Bogdanov pointed out. In his words, regional cooperation on the issue is extremely important, as Greece also has a common economic interest in Bulgaria and Romania’s entry into Schengen.
The two ministers agreed on forthcoming joint actions, including a joint business forum, to which representatives of companies suffering serious losses will be invited and where the economic consequences of Bulgaria and Romania remaining outside the free zone will be pointed out.