In its resistance to Bulgaria and Romania's accession to Schengen, Austria is now apparently completely alone in the EU. The Dutch Ministry of Justice announced yesterday that it would lift its veto on Bulgaria's accession to the Schengen area, citing deficiencies in the rule of law. However, this change of direction has yet to be confirmed by a vote in the Dutch parliament, the result of which is questionable.
Following the parliamentary elections at the end of November, the government in The Hague only serves on an interim basis and does not have its own majority in parliament. There was a shift to the right during the vote. While Justice Minister Dilan Yesilgöz's right-liberal VVD fell to third place, the eurosceptic PVV led by right-wing populist Geert Wilders became by far the strongest force. Wilders is currently trying to form a coalition government that includes the VVD and other right-wing parties.
Formal decision expected in the next few days
Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov said on the sidelines of the EU summit that he expected a formal decision from the Dutch parliament to end the Schengen veto “in the coming days”. “We have come a long way to make this possible,” Denkow said, according to Bulgarian news agency BTA. Negotiations with Austria would continue. Various “scenarios” are discussed and possible resolution texts are exchanged. “But one thing is certain: without a positive decision from the Netherlands it would be meaningless,” he said.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) recently softened the veto position he adopted a year ago in relation to the two southeastern European states that have been waiting for more than a decade to join Schengen. His proposal for “Air Schengen”, i.e. an abolition of Schengen border controls for air travelers from Bulgaria and Romania, met with mixed reactions.