Bulgaria will be fully part of Schengen by the end of 2024, Interior Minister says

Bulgaria's accession to Schengen by land will follow the country's accession by air and sea by the end of the year, outgoing Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov told the media.

"We have made it clear to all illegal migrants that Bulgaria is not their entry point to the EU. They will find it very difficult to cross the border between Bulgaria and Turkey," the minister said.

"Let's not forget that until a few months ago, Bulgaria was completely blocked for any Schengen membership negotiations," Kalin Stoyanov added.

He said that he expected to hold talks with caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev next week. "If he decides to do so, I am ready to stay in office," the outgoing minister was quoted as saying by BTA.