March 6 (SeeNews) - The European Commission said it is launching two cooperation frameworks with Bulgaria and Romania aimed at enhancing border management and migration efforts.
The frameworks build on successful pilot projects initiated last year, focusing on fast asylum and return procedures, the Commission said in a press release on Monday.
The aim is to move from temporary fixes to sustainable solutions, ensuring secure borders and efficient migration processes, the EU executive arm said. Key focus areas include asylum, reception, return systems, and enhanced police cooperation within the Schengen area.
The cooperation agreements take into account that the Schengen acquis will be fully applicable in Bulgaria and Romania, with internal air and maritime border controls to be lifted from March 31, 2024.
Romania and Bulgaria, both EU members since 2007, have sought to join the passport- and visa-free Schengen area but faced resistance, notably from Austria, over concerns about illegal immigration. Austria vetoed Romania and Bulgaria's entry into the area at the end of 2022 while granting Croatia, the EU's newest member, full accession.
In addition to the cooperation frameworks, the Commission also launched a new 85 million euro ($92.5 million) funding initiative to boost the capabilities of EU's external borders. Bulgaria and Romania can now apply for extra funds to upgrade their current border surveillance systems and get better transportation and equipment to improve border security.
Meanwhile, EU's border agency, Frontex, said last week it plans to triple the number of its officers in Bulgaria starting in March in an effort to reduce the influx of people crossing into the bloc from Turkey.
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