Austria is examining the possibility of including Romania and Bulgaria in the EU’s Schengen free travel zone by abolishing passport controls at airports, Euractiv reports.
In late 2022, Austria vetoed the two countries’ hopes to join the 1990s-backed flagship initiative.
Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner stated that the expected partial unblocking would be announced at a meeting in Bro on Monday and Tuesday. He insists that both countries should reinforce their border security in exchange for a green light on the Schengen approach.
Austria puts forward three demands: triple the presence of the EU border protection agency Frontex in Bulgaria, additional money from Brussels for border security infrastructure, and further border checks between Bulgaria and Romania, as well as between Hungary and Romania.
The two countries should also be prepared to accept refugees, especially Afghans and Syrians who have reached Austria through either country.
The news was welcomed with enthusiasm by Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.
“We’ve broken the ice. Austria has demonstrated increased flexibility regarding the Schengen area and favours lifting air borders for Romania. After years of anticipation, we are on the verge of achieving this dream together! Romania rightfully deserves a place in Schengen.”
PNL leader Nicolae Ciucă described Karner’s statements as “encouraging.”
Minister Karner’s remarks were an encouraging public statement, outlining conditions that will be subject to discussion and analysis in the coming period.
REPER MEP Dacian Cioloș warned against early celebrations, emphasising the need to include the land border in Schengen. He also noted the considerable time, money and inconvenience associated with land borders compared to air borders.
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev stated that it was critical for the country to enter the Schengen area fully, not just with air traffic. He called Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen a step forward, but warned that Bulgarian authorities should aim for full membership.
Bulgarian political analysts also explained that entering Schengen by air alone does not benefit the country’s economy, but only tourists.
“This decision would ease the air travel of each of us, but not the queues at the borders for business transport. But it is still good news. In Bulgaria, it will be difficult to approve a political decision to accept some contingent of refugees, such as Austria sets a condition for Sofia and Bucharest. This is not possible; they do not want to stay in Bulgaria, and no one can stop them.”
Political analyst Lyubomir Stefanov notes that Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen for air travel is a positive step. However, the measure represents only a tenth of the entire Schengen integration process.
