Austria deals the final blow to Romania. Official decision today in Vienna

Austria seems adamant when it comes to expanding the Schengen area. The Minister of Internal Affairs from Austria, Gerhard Karner, believes that it would be wrong to set a concrete date for Romania’s accession to the Schengen area.

Austria believes that it would be wrong to set a precise date for Romania’s accession to the Schengen area

The Minister of Internal Affairs from Austria, Gerhard Karner, believes that it would be incorrect to set a precise date for Romania’s accession to the Schengen area with all borders.

Austria and Romania will continue to collaborate to improve the Schengen area. Austrians are aware of the pressure exerted by illegal migration in Europe. There are common interests and joint efforts to strengthen this system.

Currently, there are other Schengen member countries that have land border controls, with Home Affairs Ministers responsible for the safety of their citizens. Gerhard Karner reminded that there are also controls in Austria, Germany and France, member states of the Schengen area with full rights.

From his point of view, it is necessary to do everything possible to fix the security situation in the European Union (EU).

“It would be wrong to set a concrete date for Romania’s accession to the Schengen area with all its borders. We will continue to collaborate to improve the Schengen system. We all know that there is a great pressure of illegal migration in Europe. Therefore, we have common interests here, we have launched joint efforts precisely to strengthen this system.

Currently there are other countries, members of the Schengen Area, with land border controls, because we, the ministers of the interior, are responsible for the safety of our cities. There are controls in Germany, France and Austria. We must do everything possible to remedy the security situation in the European Union, to continue to guarantee freedom of movement for our citizens”, explained the Minister of Internal Affairs of Austria in a press conference held in Vienna, Austria.

Austria has nothing to reproach Romania and Bulgaria directly

The Austrian Minister of the Interior reminded that the Government in Vienna has no direct complaints against Bulgaria and Romania. According to him, a system that does not work cannot be expanded.

Bulgaria and Romania are essential partners for Austria in putting pressure on the European Commission (EC) to improve the Schengen area.

Their efforts paid off. The director of Frontex has already announced increased operations and the tripling of Frontex officers in these countries. In addition, the EC confirmed the investment of several funds in Romania and Bulgaria for this purpose.

“I want to speak clearly that I really did not reproach Bulgaria and Romania directly. A year and a half ago I said that a system that does not work cannot be expanded. That’s why I made that decision then.

Bulgaria and Romania are very important partners for Austria when it comes to putting pressure on the European Commission to improve the Schengen system.

Our efforts have already borne fruit. You probably know that the director of Frontex has already announced increased operations, even the tripling of Frontex officers in these countries. We also have confirmation from the European Commission that more funds will be invested in Romania and Bulgaria for these purposes, and I believe that this is a very important step”, added Gerhard Karner.