Austria is now considering supporting the full Schengen membership of Romania and Bulgaria.
According to a report by the Austrian newspaper Kurier, Austria is preparing to back the accession of these two Balkan countries to the Schengen Zone, specifically regarding land borders, by spring 2025, as reported by Schengen.News.
Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner is scheduled to meet with his Romanian and Bulgarian counterparts in Budapest on November 22. The meeting is being organized by Hungary, the current holder of the EU Council Presidency.
However, the European Christian Democrats have voiced their dissatisfaction with Austria’s stance on this issue.
Austria Signals Support for Romania and Bulgaria’s Schengen Land Border Access
Recently, Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner suggested that Austria could support the land border inclusion of Romania and Bulgaria in the Schengen Zone.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has also called on the EU Council to set a date for the Schengen land border accession of these two countries. The advisory body approved a draft opinion, prepared by Maria Mincheva, vice president of the Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA), highlighting the economic costs of Romania and Bulgaria remaining outside the Schengen Zone regarding land borders.
Romanian Member of the European Parliament, Victor Negrescu, recently stated that Romania is nearing the final stages of full Schengen membership.
Austria has historically opposed Romania and Bulgaria’s full Schengen accession, citing concerns about irregular migration. However, Austria has supported their partial membership in the Schengen Area, including air and sea borders.
On March 31, 2024, Romania and Bulgaria will officially join the Schengen Zone for air and sea travel. However, they will still need to wait for full land border inclusion, according to Austrian authorities.
Last month, Interior Minister Karner reiterated that the time has not yet come for Romania and Bulgaria to fully join the Schengen Zone.
