Austria is the country that practically blocked Romania’s accession to the Schengen area, and after a decisive meeting of the JAI (Justice and Interior) Council, the Austrian Minister of the Interior, Gerhard Karner, decided to give statements only to the Austrian press, keeping the Romanian language. journalists at a distance using his security.

Gerhard Karner on the board of JAi in BrusselsPhoto: JOHN THYS / AFP / Profimedia

This was reported by TVR journalist Lucian Pirvoiu, who also published a photo of the moment itself.

“This is how the Austrians treat Romanian journalists: Austrian Interior Minister Karner makes statements to the Austrian press, we Romanians are kept at a distance by guards. He hurriedly leaves, looking at us, who asked if he had made a good decision. An inelegant person, even, one might say, brutal. This is Austria, this is what Austrians voted for: the ÖVP, a xenophobic, racist and isolationist party. Shame on Karner, shame on Austria!” the journalist wrote on his Facebook.

This was also reported by a Digi24 correspondent at a meeting in Brussels. Digi24 journalist Cristina Chileacu told the station that Austrian Minister Gerhard Karner walked past the Romanian journalists without answering questions and only stopped in the distance to talk to the Austrian press.

We will remind, on Thursday, Romania, which has been waiting for 11 years to join Schengen, this time is also 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.

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