Nominated European Commissioner for Migration Magnus Bruner (from the Austrian People's Party) has already announced that he supports the full membership of Bulgaria and Romania in Schengen. As a member of the government in Austria, Brunner has so far followed the official veto line against full Schengen membership of both countries. The Vienna “Kleine Zeitung“ reminds that Austria has been blocking the admission of Bulgaria for two years now with the argument that the country does not protect the external border of the EU well and allows a large number of illegal migrants to Austria.
But this blockade may soon be lifted, the publication also writes, informing that a meeting of the interior ministers of Austria, Romania and Bulgaria is coming up on November 22, at which the topic of Bulgaria's Schengen membership will be discussed. In addition, parallel talks are underway with Bulgaria and Romania, the publication reports.
Karner: The veto was and remains correct
„We are on the right path, but we have not yet reached its end,” Austrian Interior Minister Karner said before the meeting, quoted by “Kleine Zeitung”. According to him, the veto imposed so far was and remains correct. But in the meantime some positive changes have taken place. Carner also says that “effective protection of external borders” remains key as well as necessary – the presence of internal border control. The November 22 meeting in Budapest should in any case be related to a “clear common package” of measures.
The partial accession of Bulgaria and Romania to Schengen years ago was also connected with such a package, notes the Viennese edition. It recalls that after the two affected countries and a number of other EU members expressed their outrage at Vienna's veto, Karner gave the green light at least for Schengen by air, and since April this year it has been in force.
But Vienna's concession was not unconditional and was tied to requirements: along with the increase of European funds for border protection in both countries, not less, but more border checks were requested between Romania and Bulgaria, as well as between Hungary and Romania. Statistics from the Austrian Ministry of the Interior were also cited, according to which a significant drop in attempts to illegally cross the Austrian border was registered: 840 cases in September of this year. against 5,061 for the same month in 2023 and 12,716 in September 2022.
Good data from Bulgaria and Romania
„Kleine Zeitung“ cites more data: migration in the Balkans has decreased by 62 percent, with not only Austria reporting a drop in illegal entry attempts – in Bulgaria the reduction is by 46 percent, in Romania by ten.
The number of asylum requests in both countries has also dropped significantly, the Vienna edition also writes. In Bulgaria, the drop is 43 percent, and in Romania – with targets 74. In addition, there is movement regarding the Dublin Agreement: asylum seekers in Austria who were previously registered on the territory of Bulgaria or Romania will meanwhile be unconditionally accepted back.
Joining is possible as early as December 12
In the context of these numbers, a change in Vienna's veto can be expected, predicts “Kleine Zeitung”. The blockade could be lifted entirely, but that too would probably come with requirements. From there, everything can be done without delay – full accession (with or without conditions) can become a fact already at the next meeting of EU interior ministers on December 12.