Frustration in Romania over the Austrian government’s ongoing Schengen blockade is growing bigger and also louder, Austria’s largest newspaper Kronen Zeitung reported.
The news outlet reported on remarks made by Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu in an recent interview with Antena 3, in which he said he was “angry” with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer and his attitude of refusing Romania full Schengen membership.
“The whole region and all of Europe see the fantastic potential of Romania,” the prime minister said. “Romania has lost the balance in Europe. (…) That’s why I was angry with the Austrian government and Chancellor Nehammer. You can’t help but understand the role that Romania has played and continues to play in the midst of the ongoing war in Ukraine (…),” Mr. Ciolacu said.
It is common knowledge that Vienna justifies its veto with what it says are a high number of irregular entries via the Balkan route which includes Romania.
At a meeting with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis in Bucharest in March, the Austrian chancellor said there was still “no concrete timetable” for the full admission to the Schengen area.
At the time, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen called it: “A great success for both countries,”
Bucharest Government wants a happy end by elections in late autumn, Kronen Zeitung.
Romania holds a presidential election in late autumn and the parliamentary elections in December. Its coalition government made up of the Social Democratic Party and its Liberal Party junior partner “are trying to bring about a happy end to the tiresome Schengen saga as soon as possible,” the paper said.
Both both coalition parties expect this would give them election gains. Mr. Ciolacu and Liberal Party chairman Nicolae Ciuca are both running for president.
In July, PSD leader Ciolacu announced that Romania would have full Schengen accession including its land borders by the end of the year. He didn’t provide the reasons for this optimism at the time.
“The ÖVP’s Schengen blockade against Romania and Bulgaria harms the EU, but also the people in both countries. And it fuels all those who want to weaken Europe from within and without – this includes the FPÖ with Herbert Kickl,” Helmut Brandstätter, of the New Austria and Liberal Forum, said.
Hungary promises Romania full Schengen Accession during its EU Presidency
