Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania have met the conditions for joining the Schengen zone and should benefit from participation without further delay, the European Commission said.

The countries have contributed significantly to the normal functioning of the so-called Schengen zone, including during the pandemic and when faced with the consequences of the war in Ukraine, and should be allowed to become full members, the EC said.

The final decision still rests with EU justice ministers, who are expected to vote on the issue Dec. 8, Bloomberg wrote.

The expansion of the Schengen zone will make Europe safer, more prosperous and more attractive by significantly expanding the world's largest common area without internal border controls, the EC said in a statement.

Earlier this month, the European Parliament voted in favor of Croatia's accession to the Schengen zone.