In . – 12/21/2022 2:30 pm (act. 12/21/2022 2:31 pm)
Europe Minister Edtstadler defends Austria’s Schengen veto. ©APA/ROBERT JAEGER
On Wednesday, Europe Minister Edtstadler (ÖVP) defended Austria’s Schengen veto against Romania and Bulgaria joining the Bundesrat. On the other hand, criticism came from SPÖ, Greens and NEOS.
The minister of Europe, Karoline Edtstadler (ÖVP), justifies Austria’s veto of Schengen with the “high level of suffering” that the republic suffers due to the influx of asylum seekers.
Schengen veto focuses on migration issue
The rejection of an expansion of the Schengen area is not directed against Romania and Bulgaria, but ensures that the EU puts the issue of migration “at the top of the agenda”. The preservation of internal security is crucial for the preservation of the peace project in Europe, he emphasized according to the transmission of the time of Europe in the Federal Council. The “terrible war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine”, with consequences that can be felt worldwide – for example in food security – is a clear demonstration of this. Edtstadler critically noted that the EU has not created a functioning asylum system since the wave of refugees in 2015.
Edtstadler calls for security at EU external borders
Edtstadler described his “vision” as “a Europe without internal borders”. But this requires effective protection of external borders. Countries on the external borders must receive financial support from the EU for border security, including the construction of border barriers such as fences. With asylum procedures accelerated at the borders, in line with the European Convention on Human Rights, those who have no chance of asylum must be denied access to the EU to allow those seeking protection to be admitted. Edtstadler announced that in early February next year, a special council of EU heads of state and government would discuss measures to improve the asylum system based on Austria’s five-point plan.
NEOS, SPÖ and the Greens criticize the Schengen veto
While the FPÖ in the Bundesrat warned of a new “migration of peoples” to Europe, NEOS refused to mix up Schengen and EU asylum policy. The SPÖ identified domestic reasons for blocking Chancellor Karl Nehammer and Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (both ÖVP), and the Greens also stated that they did not approve of the coalition partner’s decision. The ÖVP stressed that the EU must improve the protection of its external borders to expand the movement of people and goods without border controls in the internal market.