site.btaAustria's President: Blocking Bulgaria and Romania's Schengen Entry Is Wrong

Blocking Romania and Bulgaria in the Schengen area is wrong, said Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen said during his visit to Chisinau Thursday. He expressed hope that the decision will be reconsidered.

"When the federal government of Austria said no to Romania and Bulgaria joining the Schengen area, I stated publicly that I disagreed with the decision. I saw no point in blocking the two countries. The question is much broader, how to control the flow of people seeking work or asylum in the 27 EU countries," Van der Bellen was quoted as saying by the Moldovan website Deskide.

At a joint press conference with Presidents of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu and Slovenia Natasa Pirc Musar, he said that he had several talks on the issue with the heads of state of Bulgaria and Romania - Rumen Radev and Klaus Iohannis. Alexander van der Bellen also noted the dissatisfaction of the business environment regarding the decision of the Austrian government.

"When well-known companies from Austria, which operate successfully in Romania, say that they are concerned about the current Austrian policy, these voices should be taken seriously. We are talking about real orders, real sales and real jobs. Both in Romania and in Austria," said van der Bellen. He said a "no" to Schengen was the wrong signal for care givers too.

"If we say to these people now 'you are not welcome', it will have negative consequences for people who need care in Austria and their families," Alexander van der Bellen added.

On December 8, 2022, at the Justice and Home Affairs Council, Austria blocked the entry of Romania and Bulgaria into Schengen, defending the decision with the migrant crisis.