Schengen expansion: Austria's decisive step for Romania and Bulgaria!
Schengen expansion: Austria's decisive step for Romania and Bulgaria!
Laimgrubengasse 10, 1060 Wien, Österreich - On December 12, 2024, the decision by the EU Interior Minister for the Schengen expansion for Romania and Bulgaria made high waves. The SPÖ is pleased with this step, since Austria has now given up its blockade. Jörg Leichtfried, the European spokesman for the SPÖ, emphasized how important this step was to promote freedom of movement within the EU. Austria benefits from the integration of both countries, in particular through the access to urgently needed nursing staff, such as ots.at reported.
Austria was the last country that had refused to take Romania and Bulgaria in the Schengen area against the complete admission of Romania and Bulgaria, which led to tensions in bilateral relationships. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) said that the delayed decision was necessary to implement significant measures to protect the external borders. Thanks to intensive cooperation, the number of illegal border crossings from 80,000 to only 4,500 could be significantly reduced. Romanian Interior Minister Marian-Catalin Predoiu confirmed that Romania was willing to provide a strong and reliable partner in the Schengen area. His colleague Nancy Faeser from Germany also expressed positive assessments and emphasized the already fulfilled conditions of both countries, as reported.
important steps to security
The EU Commission had repeatedly called for the blockade to be abolished by Austria to enable Schengen accession, and a first step had already been carried out with the cancellation of the border controls on air and sea limits. The affected border protection package stipulates that hundreds of border guards are sent to Bulgaria to support. Despite the positive development, Karner warned that certain internal border controls remain necessary to ensure security and to act against tractor crime.
In summary, this decision day not only affects the freedom of movement within the EU, but also on the economic and political reputation of Austria. Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler described this step as crucial for the implementation of the EU's refugee and migration package. Critics, on the other hand, warned of the geopolitical consequences that the delay brought with it. Overall, this day is seen as a significant progress in European cooperation.| Details | |
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| Ort | Laimgrubengasse 10, 1060 Wien, Österreich |
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