Thanks to its highly controversial decision to oppose the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to Schengen, Austria continues to remain rather isolated. Added to this is the indignation of the population of the two countries – more and more residents are heeding calls to boycott Austrian companies, and now there is even a threat of a lawsuit to the European Court, writes the Kronen Zeitung daily. “Die Presse” is wondering if Austria will be sued, while noting that the absence of Ambassador Adelheid Follier from the meeting with President Klaus Johannis was seen as an insult.

• “Austria’s veto on Schengen may have consequences in the European Court of Justice.
• EU Member of the European Parliament from Romania, Eugen Tomak, appealed to the European Commission to submit a lawsuit against Austria to the Supreme Court of the EU.
• According to the MEP from the European People’s Party (EPP), the blockade deprives Romania of basic European rights, especially the free movement of citizens and goods.
• As the guardian of EU treaties, the European Commission is obliged to take action against Austria, said a conservative MEP.
• Meanwhile, his fellow socialist Tudor Chuhodaru had a different approach, in the European Parliament. During the plenary session in Strasbourg, he requested the adoption of a “very clear calendar” for Romania’s accession to Schengen and a “sanctions procedure” for states that do not comply with the EU treaties in this regard,” writes Die Presse, according to News.ro .

The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs “tried to calm the waters after the Schengen fiasco”

Austria’s biggest daily also revealed that Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg “tried to calm the waters after the Schengen fiasco”.

As reported on Tuesday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania, Shallenberg initiated negotiations with his colleague from Bucharest, Bohdan Aurescu, on the sidelines of the meeting of EU foreign ministers, which took place on Monday in Brussels. The topic was Austria’s veto, and Aurescu said his country could understand Austria’s concerns about increasing illegal migration, but that entry into the Schengen area “should not be artificially confused with problems” that were in no way Romania’s fault, as all evidence suggests Frontex and Europol. , – also writes “Die Presse”.

At the same time, the fact that the Austrian ambassador Adelheid Follier did not take part on Tuesday in the reception of the ambassadors of all the EU countries, proposed by the president Klaus Iohannis, caused outrage in Bucharest. The press interpreted this as Austria’s new insult to Romania, writes “Die Presse”, which, however, notes that a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vienna explained that Foley is “at the moment” absent from Bucharest. The reason is “a long-planned medical procedure” that the ambassador had to undergo. Adelheid Foley will return to her post after Christmas and until then will be represented by her deputy Georg Oberreiter, the Austrian Foreign Ministry announced.

“Great excitement in Bucharest”

All EU members, with the exception of Ireland, not only have the right, but are even obliged to become members of the Schengen zone.

Romania and Bulgaria have been waiting to join the Schengen area since joining the EU in 2007. After years of blocking and preparation, the European Commission recently certified that both countries are ready for Schengen. However, accession requires the unanimous decision of existing Schengen members. This was impossible at last Thursday’s meeting of EU interior ministers due to Austria’s veto.

Previously, Romania managed to surpass Sweden and the Netherlands in terms of reserves. The fact that Austria canceled the situation shortly before the decision, having previously agreed to the extension of Schengen, caused strong indignation in Bucharest. And the fact that Vienna did not completely block the extension of Schengen, but agreed to the entry of Croatia, was perceived as an extremely heavy blow, notes “Die Presse”.

Diplomatic relations “more than broken”

For its part, the daily newspaper “Kronen Zeitung” writes about the “fiasco” of Schengen and says that diplomatic relations with Romania seem to be more than broken. For example, after the country recalled its ambassador from Austria on Monday, Romanian Interior Minister Lucian Bode wrote an open letter to his Austrian counterpart, Gerhard Karner, accusing him of breaking his word on the Schengen issue. mentions the Austrian publication.

The block could also have consequences before the European Court of Justice, said the daily, which in turn wrote about Eugen Tomak’s approach, noting that the MEP is part of the same political family, the EPP, as the Austrian chancellor’s party. (ÖVP). .

And there is also huge outrage in the country over this decision to block Romania – on Friday, a branch of Raiffeisen Bank in the city of Cluj was vandalized, with “Nazibank” graffiti written on it, and a note saying “Get it” left in another branch. from Romania,” Kronen Zeitung notes.

The daily mentions that the National Federation of Food Industry Trade Unions has announced that it will close its Austrian bank accounts and is also recommending that all its members do the same.

“The latest poll also reflects Romanians’ anger towards Austria’s policies. Almost 50% of respondents cited “external factors” as the deciding factor for the veto, and 56% were clearly convinced that the country should “take measures against Austria’s economic interests,” including boycotting public procurement from Austrian companies,” Kronen Zeitung also mentioned.