Bulgaria's main objective remains the abolition of land border controls within the Schengen area as soon as possible this year, National Assembly Speaker Rosen Zhelyazkov told Austrian National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka, reported BTA. Rosen Zhelyazkov is in Vienna for the 9th Meeting of Presidents of Parliaments of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region. In Rosen Zhelyazkov’s words, this will give an even greater boost to the economic relations between the two countries. According to Zhelyazkov, the position of Austrian business in favour of Bulgaria's full Schengen membership is unequivocal. 

The Belgian presidency of the EU and all member states should make a decision by mid-2024 on the full integration of Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen Area. This is stated in a draft resolution that will be voted on March 19 in the European Parliament's Committee on Petitions. The document addresses issues regarding the handling of heavy goods vehicles at border crossing points within the free movement area.