Schengen expansion: Austria's industry cheers new opportunities!

Schengen expansion: Austria's industry cheers new opportunities!

Laimgrubengasse 10, 1060 Wien, Österreich - The decision of the EU Interior Minister, Romania and Bulgaria in the Schengen area, was delighted today. According to the Industrial Association , this not only brings a strong signal for European integration, but also significant economical impulses for Austria and the affected countries. Christoph Neumayer, General Secretary of the Industrial Association, emphasized the central importance of open limits for the internal market and the smooth trade, which directly benefit the Austrian companies. These operate with investments of over 12.3 billion euros in Romania and 3 billion euros in Bulgaria as important investors on site and secure more than 83,000 jobs.

gratifying news for the new Schengen states

The foreign ministers of the new Schengen states were pleased with the EU decision. Romania's Foreign Minister Luminiţa Odobescu described access to the Schengen area as an "important result" for the citizens of their country and thanked the EU partners for their support. The Bulgarian Vice Procedure Chief Mariya Ivanova Gabriel also emphasized the strengthening of the Schengen area through the inclusion of both countries, while Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission, expressed confident that the decision would promote travel, trade and tourism.

With the upcoming loss of internal border controls on air and sea limits to Bulgaria and Romania, traffic within Europe becomes even more fluid. The Foreign Office in Berlin also welcomed this step and confirmed the engagement of Germany to support an early full membership. This decision is a further step towards consolidating a strong and safe Schengen area, which allows Europe to move closer together and strengthen cooperation between the Member States.