The decision on the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to Schengen would not have been possible without the multiple reforms in the field of justice and without effective border protection, Bulgaria’s Minister of Justice Atanas Slavov said on Facebook with regard to Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen by air and sea in March 2024.

Minister Slavov pointed out that ''over the past 12 years, the missing rule of law has been a stumbling block to our efforts for free travel, although Bulgaria had met the technical criteria''.

"The adoption of the new anti-corruption law and the amendments to the Constitution, combined with many practical efforts aimed at improving the institutional environment and reinforcing changes in the judiciary, have restored the confidence of our European partners in our country and its ability to guarantee security", Minster Slavov added.

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