Romanian senator and former foreign minister Titus Corlacean will go to Vienna next week to seek ways out of the crisis caused by the veto related to the Schengen issue, writes Der Standard, which interviewed the Romanian politician.

STANDARD: What is the situation in Romania after Austria’s unexpected veto against joining the Schengen area?

Korlec: Romania found itself in a paradoxical situation. Austria refused us, although we fulfilled all the conditions. I want to emphasize that illegal migrants do not come through Romania. And if someone continues to associate Ukrainian refugees with illegal migration, then this person is either unprofessional or dishonorable. It is also unreasonable to think that a migrant from Serbia or Croatia will then go east and then up north to Romania. Why should he go on foot and not just go west through Hungary? However, we are now seeking cooperation at the partnership level in Vienna to define a road map for entry into the Schengen area this year, albeit in two stages.

STANDARD: What two steps do you mean?

Korlec: Schengen accession can start at some borders, such as airports and sea borders. After that, a clear prospect for land borders should follow, especially because of Austria’s objections to the border with Bulgaria. But it would be a mistake for all of us if we continued to speak in parallel, for example, if the Chancellor of Austria and the Minister of the Interior continued to argue on any subject related to Schengen. We know the reality that the Austrian government does not accept for political reasons. But now we need a common understanding – we need to solve the problem and build bridges.

THE STANDARD: Has the Austrian government built bridges? Will you meet a government official when you come to Vienna?

Korletyan: No, I have contacts with parliamentarians, but we cannot meet with anyone from the government. The relevant ministries are not available to our delegation due to various reasons, such as other commitments. I am not used to such restraint. Austria should be interested in good relations with a country where a lot of Austrian capital has been invested and where profits are made.

THE STANDARD: What damage did Austria’s Schengen veto do?

Korlec: The great Austrian ruling party immorally used Romania for an internal political game before the provincial elections in Lower Austria, but even this did not achieve its goal. It lost its majority while fueling Austria’s far-right and jeopardizing partnerships, particularly economic ones, with a key country. We have lost confidence in the partnership with Austria. Apart from the damage within the political establishment, the worst is the sense of humiliation for Romanian society. Romania is a Latin country. Maybe we can’t focus like the Germans and Austrians when it comes to managing our emotions. In addition, Romanians living in Italy and Spain who cross the borders at least twice a year continue to wait for days

STANDARD: What are the implications for relations between Austria and Romania?

Korlatz: There are two important conditions in bilateral relations: predictability and honesty. Austria confirmed its support for Romania’s accession to Schengen more than 20 times last year, including on November 16 at the Salzburg Forum in Bucharest. But the next day everything was radically different. It is the opposite of predictability and dishonesty. I’m a politician, I understand that polls and elections are important, but at least you can call your partner and say, “Listen mate, we’ve got a problem.”

STANDARD: How has it changed Romania?

Korlacean: So far we have not had significant anti-European movements, but now they are growing strongly. There is also the risk that firms and investments will be harmed in both countries. In the current geostrategic environment, with this terrible war and its aftermath, we do not need additional losses. Austrian companies in Romania have unanimously declared that they do not want to be associated with the Schengen veto. People are starting to ask questions like: did the big company fulfill all its obligations during the privatization of the Romanian oil and gas company? Do they pay their taxes in full?

STANDARD: In Romania, the veto is explained by Austria’s proximity to the Kremlin.

Korlec: Many Romanians perceive Austria as the center of Russia. But it is about what Romania is to Austria. Again, all you have to do is look at the map. Romania has taken in 3.5 million Ukrainian refugees and manages grain exports from Ukraine. 12 million tons were transported through the port of Constanta. It is about the security of people in the region, which we defend together with our NATO allies. A responsible politician must understand that it makes no sense to harm such a country. I heard that the industry is losing €200 million a month because we couldn’t join the Schengen area.

I don’t know if we have a partner in Vienna today. This is the main question I will ask in Vienna