Romania, which has been waiting for 11 years to join Schengen, this time is not included in the European free movement zone, although it had the support of 26 EU countries. Austria managed to block a favorable decision in the Council of the CIS, since unanimity is required to join Schengen. It was joined by the Netherlands on the condition that they oppose the accession of Bulgaria, and the vote was cast “together with Romania”.

In the Justice and Home Affairs Council, Austria remained against Romania’s entry into Schengen, as did the Netherlands, which said it favored Romania’s entry into Schengen but opposed Bulgaria’s, and the vote was tied.

By the way, the Netherlands explained this in the minutes of the meeting.

The third country – Croatia – received a positive vote for joining Schengen: from January 1 with land borders, from March 1 with air borders.

“The last step has been taken by the decision of the Council. It is now officially confirmed that Croatia will join the Schengen area from January 1, 2023,” the Permanent Representation of Croatia to the EU announced on Twitter.