Karner ready to relax Schengen veto

2023-12-09 19:51:27

At least in air traffic, border controls could be lifted, reported “Kurier” (Sunday edition) and “Kleine Zeitung” (online) on Saturday, citing government circles. The land borders would retain their current status, Bulgaria and Romania would not officially be Schengen members. A spokesman for the Interior Minister confirmed this in response to an APA request.

One condition for this would be stricter border controls, the reports continue. According to the “Kurier”, Karner is traveling to Slovenia on Monday to discuss on the sidelines of a meeting with representatives of these countries which conditions must be met for Austria to agree to the so-called “Air Schengen”.

The “Kurier” mentions the conditions envisaged by Austria: a three-fold increase in the Frontex operation in Bulgaria, money for the border protection infrastructure must flow from the EU Commission; increased border controls between Bulgaria and Romania and between Hungary and Romania and acceptance of asylum seekers by Romania and Bulgaria, especially Afghans and Syrians.