Despite the "Air Schengen" proposal extending partial Schengen Zone privileges to Bulgaria and Romania starting from March this year, the possibility of their land border inclusion appears uncertain. Austria's Interior Minister, Gerhard Karner, has reiterated his country's decision to maintain a veto concerning land border accession.

Karner expressed these views in an interview with the newspaper Presse, as reported by SchengenVisaInfo.com. Furthermore, he believes that further expansion of the passport-free travel zone, particularly concerning land borders, needs to be revised.

Austria's Stance on Schengen Accession

However, Karner emphasises that the issue extends beyond these two countries, explicitly addressing the migration situation. Vienna's concerns about migration have been a significant factor contributing to its opposition to Bulgaria and Romania's inclusion in the Schengen Area for several years. "It's not solely about Romania and Bulgaria. The entire migration system is facing a catastrophic situation," Karner states.

Karner refrains from evaluating Bulgaria and Romania directly, instead advocating for a functional European-level system. He underscores the importance of implementing the new asylum and migration pact, adding that true freedom of movement in the EU can only be achieved when external borders are adequately protected, a crucial aspect of the new pact already agreed upon by the EU.

Progress in Air and Sea Schengen Connections

The Interior Minister acknowledges that Austria and the two Balkan countries have made progress in establishing air and sea Schengen connections, emphasising the need for a gradual approach.

Karner clarifies that Austria's role is not to set schedules or enact regulations; instead, it is the responsibility of the European Commission to ensure the entire system operates smoothly.

Austria had previously blocked Bulgaria and Romania's Schengen accession in December 2022 due to concerns about irregular migration. However, in December of the previous year, Sofia, Bucharest, and Vienna agreed on the "Air Schengen" proposal, outlining four conditions for these two countries' Schengen Zone inclusion.

Recent Developments and Economic Impact

The National Union of Road Hauliers from Romania (UNTRR) recently called on Romanian and European authorities to establish a definitive date for land border accession. Remaining outside the Schengen has resulted in €2.41 billion in losses for the road freight industry.

Simultaneously, Wasil Walev, the head of one of Bulgaria's most prominent employers' organisations, mentioned that businesses in Bulgaria had suffered losses of at least €1 billion due to land border disruptions and called for rigorous checks on Australian drivers.