A Conversation and Concerns
The press service of the Council of Ministers in Bulgaria announced that Premier Dimitar Glavchev had a phone conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. During the call, Glavchev congratulated von der Leyen on the official start of the new European Commission and wished her success in her new role.
Glavchev also expressed gratitude for von der Leyen's unwavering support for Bulgaria's full membership in the Schengen Area. He assured her that Bulgaria would, in turn, support the work of the European Commission.
However, the conversation also touched upon a recent announcement by the European Commission. The Commission stated that Bulgaria has six months to implement necessary reforms to avoid losing 653 million euros, which it should receive as a second payment under the Recovery and Resilience Plan.
This announcement comes amidst ongoing concerns about Bulgaria's progress towards Schengen membership. The European Parliament has repeatedly called for the inclusion of Bulgaria and Romania in the Schengen Area, but concerns remain about their preparedness.
As of January 2025, it appears unlikely that Romania and Bulgaria will be granted land access to the Schengen Area. This leaves both countries facing the prospect of losing significant financial support from the European Union.
The phone conversation between Glavchev and von der Leyen highlights the complex relationship between Bulgaria and the European Commission. While there is collaboration and support, there are also concerns and challenges that need to be addressed. The coming months will be crucial for Bulgaria as it strives to meet the requirements for both Schengen membership and the Recovery and Resilience Plan.