The Austrian government has confirmed its opposition to the accession of Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia to the Schengen border-free area, just days after the European Commission argued that the three countries more than meet the criteria set for the entry of new members.
Formal proposals for their entry into Schengen have been on the table of the EU-27 for some time – in the case of Romania and Bulgaria eleven years – but the reservations of some countries have slowed down the process, which is now in its last phase.
Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner has told the daily ‘Kurier’ that he sees «inopportune» opening Schengen to new partners at a time when «the external border system does not work». Austria receives part of the migration that enters Europe through the so-called Balkan route.
The potential accession of Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia will be put to a vote at the December 8 meeting of EU interior ministers. European Interior Commissioner Ylva Johanson said this week that «it is time to welcome them» and the European Parliament has also endorsed this step.
According to the procedures, the ministers will examine the entry of Bulgaria and Romania in a single decision and Croatia in a second separate one. The unanimous support of all European governments is required, so the outcome is uncertain for the time being, given the misgivings also expressed by the Netherlands.
