Romania is making a renewed push for accession to the Schengen area of free movement, citing the recent European Union (EU) migration agreement as removing obstacles previously cited by Austria.
Romanian MEPs argued that the deal provides the framework needed to satisfy concerns over migration management.
MEPs: Austria Has No Valid Grounds to Oppose Schengen Accession
With EU institutions adopting a political agreement on five migration laws, Romanian MEP Dragoș Pîslaru said conditions Austria outlined regarding Romania’s Schengen bid are now obsolete.
Pîslaru called on Romania’s government and President to leverage the deal toward ending the “humiliation” of Romanians in border queues.
Fellow MEP Vlad Gheorghe agreed Austria has “lost its last pretext” for opposing Romania’s Schengen entry.
Gheorghe blamed past political “blackmail” by Austria and Hungary for delaying agreement on the 2020 proposal.
However, MEP Eugen Tomac sees a legal solution as the best path, recently appealing an EU court ruling against Romania’s Council veto case.
Romania Aims for January Decision on Air, Sea Access
Romania anticipates a pivotal Schengen area decision at the January 24 Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting.
Analysis suggests Romania will first seek air and sea border inclusion, deferring land border accession.
This strategy depends on a potential Austrian compromise.
It follows the Netherlands’ approval of Bulgaria’s inclusion.
Insiders hinted that Austria could emulate Hungary's past tactic of leaving during votes.
Romania also awaits signals from Bulgaria’s ongoing discussions.
Renewed momentum points to a resolution.
Recent Romania-Austria-Bulgaria talks across government levels aim to secure the best Schengen entry decision.
Air Schengen a “Plausible Scenario”
Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu called air-only access a “plausible scenario.”
Unlike coalition allies, Odobescu did not express concerns over Austria’s conditions or the economic impacts of partial access.
Odobescu said Romania is approaching Schengen “with caution, stage by stage.”
She cited awaiting the Dutch parliament’s expected Bulgaria veto lift.
Odobescu said subsequent procedural planning could define the “next stages.”
Schengen Access Impacts Travelers, Immigration Policy
Romania’s accession would allow visa-free Schengen access for short-term visitors.
It could also influence long-term immigration policy.
For EU citizens, Romania’s inclusion may ease business and leisure travel when the ETIAS scheme launches in 2025.
ETIAS requires pre-travel authorization for visa-exempt entry.
For non-EU citizens, Schengen access expands visa-waiver options.
Romania’s membership bid indicates wider EU support for common immigration policy under the recent deal.
Romania Strategically Pursues Phased Schengen Entry
Romania is strategically pushing for at least partial Schengen area access in early 2023 after lengthy delays.
MEPs and the foreign minister said that the recent EU migration deal removes obstacles cited by holdouts like Austria.
Romania appears willing to accept a phased entry, aiming to leverage EU pressure on reluctant member states.