Romania issued this attractive set in 1974 to celebrate European Co-operation. Here is the full set, in a used pair.

The L2,20 stamp shows a stylised map of Europe, while the L3.45 shows a satellite over Europe.

SG 4072 - 4073.

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The Schengen Area comprises the territories of twenty-six European countries that have implemented the Schengen Agreement, signed in the town of Schengen, Luxembourg in 1985. The Schengen Area operates as a single international travel and immigration area with no border controls for people travelling between Schengen countries and only external border controls for those travelling in and out of the area.

The Schengen Agreement and rules were absorbed into European Union law community by the Amsterdam Treaty in 1997. The area includes all but two EU member states, the excepted states being Ireland and the United Kingdom. EU members Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania are obliged to join the area by their accession treaties, but must fully comply with the Schengen rules before accession. The area currently covers a population of over 400 million people and an area of 4,312,099 square kilometres.

All member states are required to implement the Schengen rules, which involves eliminating internal border controls with the other Schengen members, while simultaneously strengthening external border controls with non-member states. The Schengen rules include provisions on a common policy on the temporary entry of persons (including the Schengen visa), the harmonisation of external border controls, and cross-border police and judicial co-operation.

Whether a passport or an EU approved national identity card is required for identity checks done at airports, hotels, or by police, depends on national rules and varies between countries. Occasionally, regular border controls are used between Schengen countries.

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