Romania’s new government wants the Austrian government to lift its veto on the country’s accession to Schengen in the coming months. Social Democratic Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced this in one of the first interviews since taking office.
“I will ask the new Interior Minister (Cătălin Predoiu) and the new Foreign Minister (Luminita Odobescu) to come up with a comprehensive plan for the coming months to see what can be done to overcome the veto of the Austrian right-wing government.” said Ciolacu literally. The Romanian government had already applied for access to the Schengen area after joining the EU in 2007, but encountered many obstacles. At the end of 2022, Austria blocked the attempt to join – on the grounds of the asylum seekers who entered the country via Romania.
“Those responsible have missed an opportunity”
To join the Schengen area, the consent of all Member States is required. In order not to raise “false expectations”, Ciolacu initially avoided making predictions about an appointment. “Last year we had an opportunity, those responsible missed this opportunity. That doesn’t mean we give up. I have already been in touch with the incoming Spanish EU Presidency and the European Commission to find out what they plan to do with this file in the second half of the year,” said the new Romanian Prime Minister.
His country must learn from the mistakes of the past year, and those responsible for the matter are no longer in office in the new government. The Schengen process would need a “national coalition” and “expert recommendations”.
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.
