Romania lifts air, maritime border controls upon Schengen membership

Romanians traveling to Schengen countries will no longer undergo air and maritime border checks from Sunday as the country has joined the passport-free travel area, reported Xinhua.

The European Council greenlighted at the end of last year the partial entry of Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen zone, which encompasses most European Union (EU) countries.

The Council will need to take a decision to establish a date for the lifting of checks at internal land borders between Bulgaria, Romania, and the other Schengen countries, the European Commission said on Saturday.

Romanian Minister of Internal Affairs Catalin Predoiu acknowledged that the decision to extend to land borders would be politically driven. However, he voiced confidence in the ongoing efforts through diplomatic channels and collaboration with relevant ministries and EU entities.

"Its full implementation should not be unduly delayed, despite external political considerations," Predoiu said.