Austria lifted its veto on the entry of Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen zone.
Officially, the decision on countries’ accession should be made on December 12 at a meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Interior of the European Union. Previously, Austria opposed this due to the high level of illegal migration in Bulgaria and Romania.
In response to the agency’s request, the Austrian Ministry of Internal Affairs noted that Vienna will not interfere with the decision that is to be made at a meeting of the Council of EU Interior Ministers in Brussels on December 12.
After Schengen by air, Schengen on the ground is also opening for Romania and Bulgaria, the head of the Austrian Ministry of Internal Affairs said.
Romania and Bulgaria met all technical criteria for joining the Schengen area back in 2010, but met resistance from Austria and the Netherlands, which cited insufficient measures to curb illegal migration.
The Schengen area is a European space where border controls at the internal border have been abolished. The introduction of countries will promote the development of travel, trade and tourism.
Source: Racurs
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