While the European Union (EU) has granted candidate status to Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria could also move closer to entering the Schengen area. Because Austria, which had vetoed it a year ago, showed itself on Monday December 11 willing to soften its position. But Vienna sets its conditions.
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From our correspondent in Bucharest, Benjamin Ribout
It’s a ” step forward » for Romania and Bulgaria, especially in view of the cold shower received in December 2022 by the two countries when Austria had vetoed their entry in the Schengen area. Since then, it has been the status quo.
This same Austria is now considering giving the green light to the abolition of Bulgarian and Romanian passport controls. But this would be strictly limited to airports: we now speak of “ Air Schengen “.
In exchange, Austria sets its conditions: tripling the presence of officers from the European Border Guard Agency (Frontex) in Bulgaria and more controls between Bulgaria and Romania, as well as between Hungary and Romania. Vienna also demands that the two countries accommodate Afghan and Syrian refugees who are in Austria… after passing through Bulgaria or Romania.
The evolution of the Austrian position towards Romania could be explained in several ways. Bucharest has proven to be a valuable strategic partner for the EU and the United States in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Hence the support of both on the Schengen file. And then there was the Romanian lobby, particularly from business circles, who knew how to use economic leverage.
Austria is one of the major foreign investors in Romania. However, after Vienna’s veto a year ago, public demands for a boycott flourished: enough to tarnish the image of Austrian companies.
Another major issue: gas in the Black Sea that the Austrian company OMV-Petrom would like to exploit. A powerful political lever which Bucharest also used there.
“ Air Schengen » not suitable for Bucharest
The proposal of “ Air Schengen » does not satisfy Romania, a priori, because it would not make it an official member of Schengen and would not put an end to the endless waiting of road hauliers at the borders, which is handicapping the Romanian economy.
Bucharest has been fighting for more than ten years to integrate Schengen, it is an important objective for the country. Brussels may repeat that it ticks all the boxes, but its destiny seems to hang on the goodwill of an Austrian government focused on the security of its borders.
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The Romanian executive politely welcomed Vienna’s proposal, but this announcement was received in a very mixed manner. Particularly because the currency of exchange – migrants, among others – is a delicate subject for the government, which is undoubtedly afraid that this will fuel xenophobic and anti-European discourse among its political adversaries.
While 2024 will be a busy electoral year in Romania, it remains to be seen how the executive will handle this choice. From there will also depend the entry or not into this “ Air Schengen » for next spring.
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