On 28 March, the Delegation of the European Union in Uzbekistan held an event to welcome Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen area as of 31 March 2024. Their accession will boost travel, trade and tourism.

EU in Uzbekistan

“Accession of Bulgaria and Romania into Schengen area is a landmark achievement in the European integration project that will allow citizens and businesses to benefit fully their rights to free movement. I congratulate both countries for this achievement. It is also good news for Uzbekistan as well as it brings new opportunities for travel and exchange. Schengen remains a crown jewel of European Union, that could also serve as an inspiration to the countries of Central Asia”, Charlotte Adriaen, EU Ambassador in Uzbekistan said during the celebration.

Europe's Schengen area of free movement is one of its main achievements of the European integration. It was launched in 1985 between five EU countries – France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg and has gradually expanded to become the largest free travel area in the world.  This is the ninth round the enlargement of Schengen area, which will extend over 4.5 million square kilometers with a population of 450 million people.  It will comprise 29 countries, 25 of them being EU Member States as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.  It allows people to travel freely between member countries without going through border controls.