Alexander Schallenberg (ÖVP) has defended Austria’s no to Schengen entry by Romania and Bulgaria. “We are not a blocking and vetoing state. It is rather a cry for help,” emphasized the Austrian Foreign Minister. At the same time, he criticized Romania’s emotionalisation.
Only Austria and the Netherlands voted against the Schengen accession of the two Balkan countries. Austria does not stand in the way of the Schengen accession of Romania and Bulgaria, they just want it “not now”, Schallenberg stated in an interview on Puls24 on Friday (to be seen on TV from 7:55 p.m.).
Referral to large number of asylum applications
Because Austria is “always a frontline state” when it comes to migration issues. There were 100,000 asylum applications in Austria, of which 75,000 had not previously been registered in any other country. “One could almost get the impression that Austria is the first country on the route to apply the rule of law principles.” In addition, there are said to be displaced persons from the Ukraine, whom they would like to “continue” to help.
‘Nothing to do with elections in Lower Austria’
In fact, they even wanted to take the debate off the agenda and talk about it again in six months, says Schallenberg in an interview with newsreader Thomas Mohr. Rumored by some political observers, this has “exactly nothing” to do with the elections in Lower Austria.
Romania recalls ambassadors
There was sometimes strong criticism of the Austrian government, especially from Romania. The Romanian Foreign Ministry on Thursday recalled its ambassador to Austria, Emil Hurezeanu, to his home country for consultations. Schallenberg argues in this regard “to leave the church in the village” and warns Romania: “One should think about how to give a speech and how not to”.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
