Austria to lift veto on Bulgaria, Romania's full membership in Schengen area
Date
12/10/2024 2:11:59 AM
(MENAFN) Austria has announced that it will lift its veto on Bulgaria and Romania's full membership in the Schengen area, allowing the two countries to join the border-free zone. This decision removes the final obstacle to the approval of their full accession, which will be considered by the EU interior ministers in Brussels on Thursday. The move comes after Austria's interior Ministry confirmed it would no longer block the two nations' entry.
In December of last year, the European Council approved a partial entry for both Bulgaria and Romania, lifting air and sea border controls in March 2024. The expected full membership will see the removal of border checks on land borders, further integrating the countries into the Schengen area. The full entry has been eagerly awaited, as it will significantly ease travel and trade between these EU members and the rest of the continent.
Austria had initially opposed Bulgaria and Romania's full accession due to concerns about illegal immigration, particularly via the Balkan route. However, following joint border protection efforts by Austria, Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary that began late last year, Austria has witnessed a marked decrease in illegal border crossings into the EU. This improved border security has been a key factor in Austria's decision to approve the countries' full membership.
With Austria's decision, the path to full Schengen integration for Bulgaria and Romania is now clear. The move highlights the success of enhanced cooperation in border control and represents a significant step forward for the EU's ongoing efforts to improve security and manage migration effectively across the continent.
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