The Austrian minister referred to the agreement that has already been reached to lift air and sea controls, also known as “Air Schengen”. “It is very important that we take this step now and not philosophize regarding the next one,” Karner said, according to Krone.at.
The compromise reached was preceded by “tough negotiations” and provides for “clear conditions”, emphasized the Minister of the Interior.
This means that the land borders must be secured and additional resources allocated and Frontex police officers deployed at the external borders. In addition, asylum seekers from Austria who were originally registered in Romania and Bulgaria are to be returned.
Romania and Bulgaria are due to enter Schengen with air and sea borders in March. Talks on lifting land border controls will continue this year.
According to Austrian publication Kurier, pressure is mounting on Vienna to accept the two countries’ entry into the Schengen Area, with Austria the only EU country still opposed to admitting the two countries.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is convinced that Romania and Bulgaria will soon become full members of the Schengen area.
“You can count on us to convince Austria that it is worth being a full member of the Schengen area,” von der Leyen said following a special summit in Brussels in early February.
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