Police officers will carry out random checks even after Romania's entry into the so-called Schengen Air

As of tonight, Romania enters the Schengen Area with air and sea borders.

This means that Romanians travelling to or from member states of the free movement area will no longer have to pass through border control.

However, police officers will carry out random checks when they have certain suspicions, says Bogdan Despescu, secretary of state in the interior ministry.

"These checks are aimed at detecting those who have false travel documents, those who have bans on leaving the country, to detect wanted people, to respect the rules on accompanying minors - a very important aspect - to combat migration and human trafficking. Citizens coming to Romania from the Schengen area after disembarking will no longer be checked at the counters. They can also be randomly checked by police and gendarmerie teams".

Bogdan Despescu added that the Ministry of Interior will increase the number of staff at airports and seaports to help passengers and detect those who want to take advantage of this change and leave Romania illegally.

In Bucharest, the country's entry into the so-called Schengen Air will be marked by an event at Henri Coanda Otopeni International Airport in the departure terminal.

Translated by: Radu Matei