Bulgarian Justice Minister Krum Sarkow does not see Austria as the “final obstacle” to his country’s accession to the Schengen area, but the Netherlands is putting the brakes on it. “In recent months, we have received the support of the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Czech Presidency and all Member States except the Netherlands,” Sarkov said on Tuesday.
At the end of October, the Dutch parliament ruled against the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to Schengen. Sarkov expressed his optimism that the Netherlands would take “the right position”, because there are no practical and factual arguments against Bulgaria’s accession. Bulgaria is making “sacrifices” for the security of its European partners “and joining Schengen improves the security situation, not the other way around,” the socialist politician stressed.
“Mixed signals” from Austria and Sweden
He is confident that Austria and Sweden will also support Bulgaria’s accession to Schengen, Sarkov said. The two states had been sending “mixed signals” in recent weeks, it said.
Advance by Secretary of the Interior Karner
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) had spoken out against the extension of Schengen to the youngest EU member states Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia, given the large number of illegal migrants. Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) indicated last week that he accepts Croatia and pointed out that hardly any illegal migrants would come to Austria via Croatia and Slovenia. He spoke negatively about Bulgaria and Romania. While Nehammer received the support of opposition leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner (SPÖ) for his line, Vice Chancellor Werner Kogler (Greens) refused a veto. “To this day, Austria officially supports Romania and Bulgaria joining the Schengen area with Croatia,” Kogler said.
The decision on the extension of Schengen will be taken at a meeting of EU interior ministers on the day of Mary’s conception. Prior to this, an EU-Western Balkans summit will take place in the Albanian capital Tirana, where efforts should be made to overcome existing resistance. The decision to admit new members requires the approval of all former Schengen countries.
Waiting years to join the Schengen area
Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia are waiting nine and fifteen years respectively to join the Schengen area. According to the EU treaty, all Union states must belong. There is only one exception for Ireland, which has become redundant for Britain with its departure from the EU. A special case is Cyprus, which cannot fully control its borders due to the Turkish occupation. Appropriate criteria must be met for admission to the Schengen area, for example in the judiciary or in border control. Austria’s entry into the Schengen area marks its 25th anniversary on Thursday. It took place almost three years after joining the EU, although massive resistance from Germany had to be overcome at the time.
Source: Krone
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