Austria’s Interior Minister has suggested that the country may lift its veto on Romania and Bulgaria’s full membership in the Schengen area due to improvements in border protection. The veto had been in place for the past two years, with concerns about illegal migration via the Western Balkans route. However, with the numbers of illegal migration decreasing significantly, Austria believes it is on the right path towards pushing illegal migration towards zero. Romania’s MEP Victor Negrescu has stated that Romania is close to achieving Schengen membership, with a decision possibly being made this year or in the near future.
Romania’s Prime Minister, Marcel Ciolacu, is optimistic about Romania’s chances of fully entering the Schengen area by spring 2025. He has indicated that a decision could be made before the second round of presidential elections on 8 December, with implementation set to begin in March. This would allow Romanians to cross EU land borders without checks by Easter 2025. Discussions on Schengen enlargement are progressing well, with Austria’s designated EU Commissioner for Migration, Magnus Brunner, reporting positive developments at his hearing in the EU Parliament. An agreement between Austria, Romania, and Bulgaria seems to be within reach.
The meeting on 22 November in Hungary could be a potential breakthrough for Romania and Bulgaria’s full membership in the Schengen area. Austria’s Interior Minister has noted the significant improvements in border protection and returns that the country has achieved as a result of the veto on Romania and Bulgaria. This progress has led to a reduction in illegal migration, but there is still work to be done to reach the ultimate goal of zero illegal migration. Romania MEP Victor Negrescu’s statement about Romania being on the ‘final stretch’ towards Schengen membership indicates that the country is close to achieving its goal.
Romania’s Prime Minister’s optimism about the timeline for full Schengen membership for Romania further reinforces the positive outlook for the country. The potential decision before the presidential elections in December and implementation beginning in spring 2025 demonstrate Romania’s commitment to joining the Schengen area. With talks on Schengen enlargement making good progress and an agreement potentially in sight, it seems that Romania and Bulgaria may finally be on the path towards full membership. Austria’s willingness to potentially lift its veto signals a shift in the situation, with a possible breakthrough at the upcoming meeting in Hungary.
In conclusion, the possible lifting of Austria’s veto on Romania and Bulgaria’s full membership in the Schengen area represents a positive development in the ongoing discussions. With improvements in border protection and reductions in illegal migration, the path towards zero illegal migration seems more achievable. Romania’s optimism about its timeline for Schengen membership and progress in the talks on enlargement point towards a potential agreement soon. The meeting in Hungary on 22 November could be a crucial moment for Romania and Bulgaria’s journey towards full Schengen area membership.
