Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen says it is important to control external borders and know who is entering the country, but he believes Romania and Bulgaria are ready to join Schengen. “I am concerned about Austria’s reputation in front of our European partners,” said President Van der Bellen.

According to Austrian media, the president is distancing himself from the federal chancellor regarding Austria’s veto on the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area, News.ro cites.

During the meeting with EU Ambassador Martin Zelmair, Alexander van der Bellen emphasized that both Romania and Bulgaria are ready to join Schengen.

“Of course, we need to know who is entering the EU and Austria, who is asking for asylum. And, of course, the EU must control its external borders,” the federal president said, according to a discussion note sent to Kleine Zeitung by the president’s office upon request.

“Romania and Bulgaria meet the criteria for joining Schengen. I am concerned about Austria’s reputation in front of our European partners,” the Austrian president also said.

“When well-known companies from Austria, which are successfully operating in Romania, say that they are concerned, these voices must be taken seriously”

Alexander Van der Bellen directly refers to critical voices in business circles.

“When well-known companies from Austria, which are successfully operating in Romania, say that they are concerned about the current Austrian policy, these voices should be taken seriously. It is about real orders, real turnover and real jobs. Both in Romania and here in Austria. In this sense, I hope that the decision in the near future can help calm the situation,” the Austrian president also said.

On December 8, 2022, Austria vetoed and blocked Romania and Bulgaria from joining the Schengen area, and Chancellor Karl Nehhammer explained the large number of unregistered illegal immigrants arriving in Central Europe.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehhammer insisted the EU should pay for a border fence with Turkey to stop human trafficking. However, the European Commission rejected the initiative, explaining that it would not give money for fences and walls and that EU countries are obliged under international law to allow people seeking protection to apply at the EU’s external borders, and that such objects will be an obstacle in their rights.

However, Brussels announced a month ago that it had agreed to fund a pilot project to improve technical equipment at the border, including the installation of cameras and aerial surveillance systems to track and stop illegal migrants.

• Read also: When will Romania join Schengen? Response from the European Commissioner for Home Affairs / Concerns about the figures provided by Austria and the Netherlands