202412.11
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Austria to Lift Veto on Schengen Zone Expansion

by in Economy, Business, Law

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Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said that Vienna plans to lift its veto on expanding the Schengen zone, which means that Romania and Bulgaria will be able to join it fully, Deutsche Welle reported.

According to the publication, the Austrian side may officially announce its decision at a meeting of EU interior ministers in Brussels on December 12.

Vienna vetoed the expansion of the Schengen zone in 2022 due to illegal migration. Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner explained the change in government position as “a significant reduction in the number of illegal border crossings.”

The Schengen zone unites 29 states. EU members Bulgaria and Romania partially joined the Schengen Agreement in March 2024. Border controls have been abolished for those crossing the border by air and sea. Controls at land borders remain – it is assumed that after Austria gives up its veto, they will be abolished from 1 January 2025.