Austria and the Netherlands blocked Romania and Bulgaria accession to the Schengen area
Brussels
08 December 2022
The Council of the European Union voted on Thursday 08 December on the Schengen area accession of Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania. Unanimity was required in the Council for new member states to be integrated in the agreement. Austria vetoed the accession of Bulgaria and Romania, The Netherlands joined Austria’s call and blocked Bulgaria’s accession.
Thomas Waitz and Mélanie Vogel, co-chairs of the European Green Party comment:
“Austria and the Netherlands are leaving the EU fact-based consensus on Schengen enlargement. Both countries try to blame the failure of the EU’s migration policy on Bulgaria and Romania. The conflation of asylum figures and the Schengen Agreement is irresponsible. Today’s veto is harmful to good neighbourly relations and is compromising EU unity in crucial times. Extending the Schengen Agreement to Bulgaria and Romania is essential for European integration.
We call on the Council to reopen the discussion about the accession of Romania, Bulgaria as soon as possible and on Austria and Netherland to review their position.
The EU must develop solidarity-based migration policies. Solidarity towards EU member states welcoming migrants and refugees, and solidarity with migrants and refugees fleeing wars, disasters and persecution and human rights abuse of autocratic regimes.”
END
Valentin Dupouey
Head of the Communication Unit / Press Officer
E valentin.dupouey@europeangreens.eu
T +32 (0) 485 93 99 26
European Green Party
Rue du Taciturne 34, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
www.europeangreens.eu
