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BREAKING
Sheikh Qassem: Our supporters make up more than half of Lebanon's population, and all of these people are united under the banner of protecting Lebanon, its Resistance, its people, and its integrity.
Sheikh Qassem: There will be no phased handing in of our arms. [The Israelis] must first enact the agreement before we start talking about a defensive strategy.
Sheikh Qassem: Be brave in the face of foreign pressures, and we will be by your side in this stance.
Sheikh Qassem: Stripping us of our arms is like stripping us of our very soul, and this will prompt us to show them our might.
Sheikh Qassem: We will not abandon our arms, for they gave us dignity; we will not abandon our arms, for they protect us against our enemy.
Sheikh Qassem: The US efforts we are seeing are aimed at sabotaging Lebanon and constitute a call for sedition.
Sheikh Qassem: If you truly want to establish sovereignty and work for Lebanon’s interests, then stop the aggression.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States, which is meddling in Lebanon, is not trustworthy but rather poses a danger to it.
Sheikh Qassem: The United States is preventing the weapons that protect the homeland.
Sheikh Qassem: The government’s latest decision [on the disarmament of the Resistance] is non-charter-based, and if the government continues down this path, it is not faithful to Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Romania, Bulgaria granted full Schengen membership with a condition

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 12 Dec 2024 12:49
3 Min Read

The deal reached in Budapest includes the introduction of border checks at the land borders between Hungary and Romania, as well as between Romania and Bulgaria, for "at least" six months.

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  • Romania, Bulgaria granted full Schengen membership with a condition
    A man touches a sign that reads "Welcome to Schengen!" as he arrives at the Henri Coanda International Airport in Otopeni, near Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, March 31, 2024. (AP)

Romania and Bulgaria will officially join the Schengen Area on January 1, 2025, marking the end of a long journey that began in 2011, when the European Commission declared both countries ready for membership.

The long-awaited decision was finalized on Thursday, as interior ministers from the European Union gave their final approval to Romania and Bulgaria's candidacy. This major milestone came after Austria, the most vocal opponent, lifted its veto last month during a meeting in Budapest.

"A great victory for Bulgaria, Romania, and all of Europe," said the Hungarian presidency of the EU Council, which had prioritized the completion of Schengen membership.

As a result, Romania and Bulgaria will become fully-fledged Schengen members starting January 1, 2025, closing a chapter that began in 2011, when the European Commission first acknowledged their readiness for accession.

What is the caveat?

Back in 2011, Romania and Bulgaria faced opposition from several countries, including Germany and France, regarding their joint candidacy for Schengen membership. Over time, the political resistance diminished, with the Netherlands and eventually Austria remaining as the last major obstacles.

Earlier this year, checks at air and sea borders were lifted.

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"Fully in Schengen - where you belong," said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission. "A stronger Schengen signifies a safer and more united Europe," stated Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament.

However, their accession comes with a significant caveat that could dampen celebrations.

The deal reached in Budapest includes the introduction of border checks at the land borders between Hungary and Romania, as well as between Romania and Bulgaria, for "at least" six months. These checks are intended to "prevent any serious threat to public policy and internal security," with the "at least" phrasing suggesting the possibility of further extensions.

This concession was made to address Austria's persistent concerns over irregular migration, which had been a key issue for the country in blocking the joint bid.

As a result, while Thursday's approval marks a major milestone—the permanent abolition of passport checks at land borders—citizens traveling between these countries may still face some delays and queues.

Border checks to manage migration flows have become more common within the European Union, with Germany, France, and the Netherlands among those reinstating them in recent months, despite debates over their effectiveness.

Saila Heinikoski, a senior researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA), suggests that the reintroduction of border checks can serve as a "tool" for politicians to "show the domestic public that we are doing something."

"Internal border controls may not be that invasive actually; they may be only random checks at the border," Heinikoski explained.

The Schengen Area, one of Europe’s key integration achievements, now includes 29 countries and nearly 450 million people.

  • romania
  • Schengen membership
  • EU
  • Bulgaria

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