site.btaBulgaria, Romania Set Good Example with Smooth Schengen Integration, European Commission Official Says

Olivier Onidi, Deputy Director-General for Schengen and Internal Security at the European Commission, highlighted the positive impact of the recent Schengen enlargement to include Bulgaria and Romania, describing the process as long overdue but ultimately highly effective. Onidi was addressing Monday’s meeting of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs.

According to Onidi, both countries managed the integration "very smoothly", setting a positive example for other aspiring Schengen members. He noted that this successful expansion serves as encouragement for countries still outside the border-free zone.

Onidi also pointed to Cyprus, which he said is accelerating its efforts to meet Schengen requirements. He deemed the country’s target of completing its obligations by the end of 2025, in anticipation of a 2026 entry, to be realistic, given the current pace of preparations and close EU monitoring.

Beyond Cyprus, Ireland has shown growing interest in adopting key Schengen mechanisms, while candidate countries in the Western Balkans are also being engaged early. The European Commission has reportedly opened a dedicated Schengen track to involve these nations in evaluations and help them develop national strategies aimed at eventual accession, he added.