Despite Romania joining the Schengen area, Romanian travelers still encounter unfair checks at airports throughout Europe. This issue underscores the persistent problems with border controls in the region.
Systematic security screening sparks outrage
Romanian Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have voiced worries about how Romanian citizens are treated at airports in Schengen countries.
Eugen Tomac, one of these MEPs, was deeply upset after facing what he called “abusive and discriminatory screening” by Austrian border police upon reaching Vienna.
Tomac stated that while random checks are acceptable, screening every Romanian passenger goes against Schengen rules.
Other Romanian MEPs, like Vlad Gheorghe, have also raised similar concerns. Gheorghe reported instances where Romanians were specifically targeted for security checks at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Coordinated efforts to target Romanian travelers suspected
Gheorghe suspected that security measures aimed at Romanians were being organized by several countries working together.
He pointed out that Romanians encountered similar levels of scrutiny when they landed at airports in Germany and Austria, even though Romania had partially joined the Schengen area on March 31st, 2024.
Gheorghe recalled asking the security team at Charles de Gaulle Airport which other flights they were monitoring. He said he did not get a straightforward response.
This secrecy fueled suspicions that only flights from Romania and Bulgaria were under extra scrutiny.
Challenging “abusive controls” through official channels
Gheorghe said he is upset about Romania’s entry into the Schengen zone, calling it a “bluff.” He wants to complain to the European Commission about what he sees as unfair checks on Romanian travelers.
He has called on individuals who have been affected to give evidence to support his complaint.
This situation highlights ongoing tensions about the Schengen zone growing to include 29 countries, including Romania and Bulgaria for air and sea travel.
A delicate balancing act
The complaints from Romanian officials also highlight the ongoing challenges in harmonizing immigration policies across the European Union.
Even though the Schengen Agreement promotes free movement, incidents like these raise questions if member states are adhering to the rules they have all agreed upon.
It is clear that policymakers face the delicate task of balancing security needs with treating everyone fairly.
Schengen’s uneven implementation raises questions
Although the Schengen Agreement was designed to make traveling within its area easier, it has not been consistently applied.
Recent issues with how Romanian travelers are treated bring attention to the difficulties of ensuring border controls are fair for everyone.
As this situation continues, questions arise about whether Schengen rules are being followed consistently and what the European Commission can do to make sure member countries adhere to the agreed-upon rules.
The concerns raised by Romanian officials show that there is a need for more openness and responsibility in how the Schengen system works.