"Our position is that the Schengen system as a whole does not work, therefore, we are not open to its expansion," Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said in August
What??
I'm sure Austria's concerns have nothing to do with Romania and Bulgaria having the largest Roma (gypsy) populations in Europe. That would be racist.
Believe me, I don't like that government at all but thats not even the slightest topic. Its just internal politics populism of being tough on migration....
It's already easy to get to Austria from there. Border control is minimal and only on the non-schengen borders. We have a free movement of people so most of our Roma people migrate freely since 2007 by just showing their ID. That would make it ever so easier for those who work abroad to send money home (a large percentage).
This is pure right wing populism on Austria's part.
Arguably their position isn't even really about migration. It's just domestic politics and populism.
Didn't they vote recently for Croatia?
Can we just kick Austria out of Schengen if they veto again?
This is the best summary I could come up with:
The European Commission, which examines new applications, has said since 2011 that both Romania and Bulgaria have met all criteria to join Schengen, such as sharing of security information, police cooperation and border management.
The Commission's president, Ursula von der Leyen, issued a new appeal for membership during her annual State of the European Union speech in September.
"Our position is that the Schengen system as a whole does not work, therefore, we are not open to its expansion," Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said in August.
Austria's position has been frontally contested by Romania and Bulgaria, who argue their territories are not part of either the Western Balkan or the Central Mediterranean route, the ones that register the majority of migrant movements.
During a dramatic vote last December, the country denied Romania's ambitions, triggering a furious reaction from President Klaus Iohannis.
Patience, however, is running thin: Romania has even threatened to bring Austria before the European Court of Justice to contest the recurring veto.
The original article contains 619 words, the summary contains 162 words. Saved 74%. I'm a bot and I'm open source!
(vetoed by Austria)
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