Andreas Treihl, former CEO of Erste Group, now Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Erste Foundation, stated his strong support for Romania’s accession to the Schengen Area in an interview with Die Presse.

Treihl was CEO of Erste Group Bank AG from July 1997 to January 2020.

“It is a shame that Austria uses its right of veto in the EU in such a situation. The right of veto is an institutional weakness of the European Union and should be avoided as much as possible. I am saddened by the fact that we used this tool to block Romania’s access to the Schengen area,” Treichl said.

According to the former CEO of Erste Group, the attempt to convince the EU to take over the management of the pan-European problem of asylum and migration cannot be achieved with the help of the veto. “Austria expressed its right of veto; now they must work to ensure that the conditions for Romania’s accession to Schengen are met. What we messed up last week needs to be fixed as soon as possible. This is the only way out of this situation,” says Treichl.

Die Presse: What do you think about the attitude of the Austrian federal government to Romania’s desire to join Schengen?

Andreas Treihl: I think it’s a shame that Austria uses its EU veto in such a situation. The right of veto is an institutional weakness of the European Union and should be avoided as much as possible. It saddens me that we used this tool to block Romania’s access to the Schengen area.

Die Presse: Vienna justifies the veto with the dramatic situation on the border.

Andreas Treihl: We may have different opinions on this matter. In addition, it is surprising that the migration figures that Austria uses as an argument differ significantly from the figures released by the EU border agency Frontex. It is impossible for outsiders to understand who is right here. Added to all this is the fact that Austria demonstrated its position of refusing to join too late. The government in Vienna seems to have changed its mind in recent weeks for unknown reasons, a fact that worries everyone.

Die Presse: Is border security a vital interest for Austria to use the veto?

Andreas Treihl: Of course not. It was an internal political decision that was more important to the Austrian government than the effect it had on the outside.

Die Presse: Domestic politics controls European politics – do you think that Austria lacks a strategic perspective on the EU?

Andreas Treihl: At the moment, we are not in an advantageous strategic position at all. Attempting to persuade the EU to take over European-wide management of asylum and migration cannot be achieved through a veto. This issue should have been discussed in advance, with realistic proposals and solutions. But this did not happen.

Die Presse: What should the federal government do now [al Austriei] correct the differences that have arisen?

Andreas Treihl: Austria vetoed; now they must work to ensure that the conditions for Romania’s accession to Schengen are met. What we messed up last week needs to be fixed as soon as possible. This is the only way out of the situation.