Interior Minister Atanas Ilkov expressed immense pride and emotion as Bulgaria was officially accepted as a full member of the Schengen Area, with land border controls set to be abolished starting January 1, 2025. Speaking shortly after the European Council’s decision in Brussels, Ilkov shared that the occasion was celebrated with champagne, a symbolic gesture of the hard work and dedication that had led to this historic day for Bulgaria. In tears, he thanked his colleagues at the Ministry of Interior for their relentless efforts and cooperation, particularly at the Bulgarian-Turkish border, which were pivotal in achieving this milestone.
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