A questionnaire completed by designated EU Commissioner Magnus Brunner (ÖVP) caused a stir. In it, the Minister of Finance spoke out in favor of the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area. However, Austria has vetoed the accession. Brunner now defends himself against the “Krone”.
Magnus Brunner is amazed by the excitement. What happened? No, it is not about the higher budget deficit, but about his position on the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to Schengen. Last week, the designated EU Commissioner for Migration had to answer a list of questions from members of the EU Parliament in advance before the public hearing on November 5. And there was an interesting passage from Brunner. Regarding the Schengen area, the future Commissioner for Migration has set a clear objective: “If Bulgaria and Romania continue to fulfill all the conditions to become full members of the Schengen area, it is the responsibility of the Council to decide on the abolition of the Schengen area . the remaining internal land border controls to decide.” If this does not happen before the new Commission takes office, “I will continue to support this process with the same intensity as my predecessors. “Bulgaria and Romania have the right to fully benefit from the benefits of the Schengen area.”
“It is no surprise to anyone that I support the EU position”
With this statement, does Brunner now go against the line of Austria, which is against the admission of Bulgaria and Romania and has even vetoed it? This question was widely discussed in the media. Brunner has been silent about this until now. He is now taking a stand against the “Krone” for the first time. He believes that “it cannot surprise anyone” if “as a commissioner-designate he takes the position that the European Commission has consistently taken for years.”
Brunner feels misinterpreted because he also ‘explained’ in his catalog of answers that he ‘does not see any fundamental contradiction with the Austrian position’, Brunner argues to the ‘Krone’.
For Brunner, the goal is clear: “Both the Commission and Austria want Bulgaria and Romania to become full members of Schengen. Austria has vetoed what is the right of the Member States when they decide whether the Schengen area is expanded or not.” Moreover, the designated EU Commissioner sees progress on accession, so “things are moving in the right direction.”
The optimistic view of the future commissioner
A clear sign of this development is that Minister of the Interior Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) gave the green light for “Air Schengen” before the summer. “Austria has always said that both states need progress to ensure the security of the other member states. That is why Schengen is already applied to air traffic – and with the consent of Austria. There is no contradiction with the Austrian line; perhaps the future commissioner’s vision here is simply optimistic,” Brunner corrects. He hopes the discussion will be concluded a few days before his hearing in the EU Parliament.
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.
