Romanian Interior Minister Catalin Predou on Sunday did not announce a calendar for Romania joining the air Schengen, but said that “he hopes that Romanians will enjoy the holidays.” Asked if he agreed with the conditions put forward by Austria, Predoi said “there are conditions that I know and we are going to discuss them” and “some of them are also useful for us to strengthen the border”.

• “The main political relevance of the statement is that Austria changed its position, it was no longer that inflexible position. We had discussions for months before this statement. There will be further discussions because negotiations are ongoing. Finally we changed position. From now on, we are entering the field of technical discussions, including in Slovenia, on a bilateral basis, in the JAI Council,” Cătălin Predoiu told Digi24.

When asked if there is a timetable for joining the Schengen air zone, Predoy gave a restrained answer.

• “Let’s hope that the Romanians will enjoy the holidays, but we are still in the negotiation process. It is being discussed at several levels, everyone is involved in their own way.”

• “It was a big step to go from no to yes, but let’s see under what conditions.” I know that there were opposition positions that this was not enough. There are conditions that I am aware of and we will discuss them. Some of them are also using us to strengthen the border,” the interior minister said.
• “It is important for us to have a decision this year, those moments that are actually implemented on the ground remain under discussion. There are still stages ahead. The first is a vote in the Dutch parliament,” Predoyu emphasized.

Also, when asked if there was any condition that he rejected, he said that he would not make a statement because this result was achieved precisely because he “spoke in a balanced way so as not to jeopardize the negotiations.”

Predoyu emphasized that it is important to meet directly with the Minister of the Interior of Austria, Gerhard Karner, because “a statement to the press is not an official position.”

• “We will see what exactly they want,” Predoyu concluded.

Prime Minister Marcel Çolaku announced on Saturday evening that Austria “has made its position more flexible with regard to the Schengen area and agrees to the abolition of air borders for Romania”. “This means that Romanians will no longer stand in endless queues when flying within the European Union,” he explained.

What did Marcel Cholak say:

• “I broke the ice! Austria has softened its stance on the Schengen area and agreed to abolish air borders for Romania.
• This means that Romanians will no longer stand in endless queues when flying within the European Union.
• We have made great efforts in the last months to achieve this and I am grateful to everyone who fought for Romania. Minister Preda has been instructed to meet with the Minister of Internal Affairs of Austria and conclude the negotiations.
• After years of waiting, we will achieve this dream together! Romania deserves to be in Schengen!” – Marcel Čolaku wrote on Facebook.

The Austrian newspaper Kleine Zeitung wrote, citing government sources, that “Austria is now preparing the way for the extension of the Schengen area for Romania and Bulgaria – but only for air travel and under certain conditions, including stricter border controls,” between Bulgaria and Bulgaria. Romania and between Hungary and Romania.

As “Kurier” reports, at the beginning of the week the Minister of Internal Affairs, Gerhard Karner, is going to Slovenia to discuss with representatives of Romania and Bulgaria what conditions must be met for Austria to agree to “Air Schengen”, ORF reports.

Another condition will be the acceptance of asylum applications, in particular, from Afghans and Syrians.

What requirements does Vienna put forward for Romania to join Air Schengen

However, Vienna puts forward three conditions for Romania’s acceptance into Air Schengen, i.e. the borders should be open only to air transport.

• “Further strengthening of security at the external borders of the European Union. The presence of Frontex (border police of the European Union – no) on the Bulgarian-Turkish border should be increased at least three times. In addition, it was necessary to “significantly” increase the financial support for the protection of the external borders of Bulgaria and Romania.
• Border control has been strengthened at the land borders between Bulgaria and Romania, as well as between Romania and Hungary.
• “Taking responsibility for migrants who have arrived illegally in Austria” is the third condition formulated by the Ministry of the Interior of Austria,” these three conditions were put forward by Vienna, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Austria reported to Digi24. station.

“If these conditions are met, Austria can agree to (admit Romania to) Air Schengen,” the response of the institution headed by Gerhard Karner also states.