Austria is lifting its veto on the full accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area of free movement in Europe. This is reported by Reuters, writes UNN.
"We can take the next step at the EU Council (on justice and Home Affairs – Ed.)," interior minister Gerhard Karner said in a statement distributed by his ministry.
Romania and Bulgaria, members of the EU and NATO, partially joined Schengen in March, following an agreement with Austria that initially opposed their accession on the grounds that they needed to do more to prevent illegal immigration.
Although air and sea border checks between them and the other 27 countries in the travel zone have been canceled, negotiations with Austria on land entry are continuing.
"After' Schengen air', 'Schengen land' is now open to Romania and Bulgaria," Karner said, adding that Austria's demands to combat illegal migration have led to a reduction in the number of migrants intercepted near Austria's border with Hungary - on the country's most 'popular' route.
"Without this veto, such a significant reduction in the number of illegal border crossings would not have occurred," he said.
As evidence, Carner cited a figure of 70,000 interceptions for the year to October 2023 and 4,000 for the same period this year.