Open! Austria clears the way for Bulgaria and Romania to Schengen

Austria will withdraw its veto against the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area, reports the national daily Der Kurier, explaining that this is expected to happen in the spring of next year.

"For some, it was a necessary measure to protect Austria, for others it was a political maneuver to score points in the elections: in any case, the blockade of the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to Schengen did not win Vienna friends internationally," the publication wrote.

"But now it seems to be done in Brussels and Vienna: Austria gives up its veto and clears the way for both EU member states. Austria's Interior Minister Gerhard Karner will meet his counterparts from Romania and Bulgaria in Budapest on November 22, hosted by Hungary, which currently holds the EU presidency. A package of measures is to be adopted there, which Romania and Bulgaria still need to fulfill in order to become Schengen members. This is expected to happen in the spring of 2025. At least that's what senior representatives of the Romanian government think, the editors also explain.

Both countries have already met the essential requirements: above all, increased security at the EU's external borders and faster returns of rejected asylum seekers from Austria. Obviously, both Bulgaria and Romania are on the "right path".

There is also clear support for the accession of the two countries from the European Commissioner for Migration elected by Austria, Magnus Brunner. The current finance minister was due to be heard before the European Parliament last week. Brunner assured that he has always supported the membership of both countries "and I will continue to advocate for it”. In any case, he is convinced that this will happen as soon as possible.