News that Vienna is considering easing Romania and Bulgaria into the Schengen free-travel zone by abolishing airport passport checks got a mixed reaction in Bucharest and was criticized in Sofia.
Austria vetoed the two countries from joining the passport-free zone a year ago and there have been tensions ever since with Romania accusing Austria of acting on behalf of Russia.
However, there are reports that discussions with U.S. officials helped Vienna rethink its veto.
The turnabout in Austria’s attitude came after recent talks between former U.S. Ambassador to Austria, Ronald Lauder and US diplomat responsible for Europe James O’Brien with politicians in Vienna, Der Standard reported.
The U.S officials apparently stressed the strategic importance of Romania to Western allies in the region.
Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said a a partial unblock is expected to be unveiled at an interior minister meeting in Bro on Monday and Tuesday.
In exchange for greenlighting no passport checks – for travelers from Romania and Bulgaria at European airports, he is insisting that the two countries boost their border security.
Austrian media reported that Austria is demanding that the presence of the EU’s border protection agency Frontex in Bulgaria is tripled, that Brussels provides extra funding border protection and there are additional border checks between Bulgaria and Romania, and Hungary and Romania.
The two countries must also be willing to host refugees, especially Afghans and Syrians, who made it to Austria through either country.
Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu welcomed the news: “We’ve broken the ice. Austria has demonstrated increased flexibility regarding the Schengen area and favors lifting air borders for Romania,” he wrote on social media.
“After years of anticipation, we are on the verge of achieving this dream together! Romania rightfully deserves a place in Schengen,” he said, adding that Romanian authorities had made substantial efforts in recent months.
Liberal Party leader Nicolae Ciucă called Karner’s remarks „an encouraging public statement, outlining conditions that will be subject to discussion and analysis in the upcoming period”.
President Klaus Iohannis did not react and REPER MEP Dacian Cioloș expressed satisfaction with the “good start” but cautioned against undue celebration.
He focused on the need for a full Schengen, emphasizing the significant time, money, and inconvenience associated with land borders compared to air borders.
In Sofia, President Rumen Radev said Bulgaria needed to be a full member of the Schengen zone.
Austria could greenlight Schengen for Romania, Bulgaria flights
