Romania and Bulgaria will become full members of the Schengen Area that allows free movement of 420 million people between 29 mostly European Union countries without border checks from Jan. 1, the EU said Thursday.

The European Union ministers has agreed to let Bulgaria and Romania fully integrate into Europe’s ID-check free travel zone known as the Schengen area by lifting land border controls next year.

Romania and Bulgaria have officially become full members of the Schengen Area, Azernews reports. "We welcome the decision of the European Council, which gives the green light for Romania and Bulgaria to fully join the Schengen family," the publication states.