The designated European Commissioner for Migration from Austria, Magnus Brunner, has expressed his support for the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Zone through land borders.
Brunner’s advocacy for the finalisation of this process brings another perspective from the country that has blocked the membership of Bucharest and Sofia to the EU’s visa-free travel zone for over ten years, Schengen.News reports.
In the Questionnaire to the Commissioner-designate, Brunner was asked by the European Parliament what steps he would propose that would lead to the lifting of controls at the internal land borders with Bulgaria and Romania.
He said while both Romania and Bulgaria continue to meet all the needed requirements to become part of the Schengen Area since 2011, it is both the prerogative and the responsibility of the Council to decide on lifting the remaining controls at the internal land borders.
If the Council does not take a decision before the start of the new mandate if confirmed as a Member of the Commission, I will continue to give full support to this process with the same intensity as my predecessors.
the designed European Commissioner for Migration from Austria, Magnus Brunner
The designated European Commissioner for Migration said that Romania and Bulgaria are entitled to reap the full benefits of the Schengen Zone and the lifting of land border controls will make the Schengen Area stronger and safer.
Brunner Vows to Support Both Countries’ Full Membership in the Schengen Zone
The Austrian politician expressed his support for the membership of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Zone in terms of land borders if the decision is not taken within this mandate. He vowed to continue the policy of the current European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Ylva Johansson when it comes to this issue.
Magnus Brunner is the designated EU Commissioner for Migration from Austria. His comments came in the preliminary written answers that the nominee is required to give to the European Parliament before the hearing process begins.
On September 17, following her election for a second mandate, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, presented the list of Commissioners-designate for the 2024-2029 mandate.
The Commissioners-designate appear in public hearings at the European Parliament. Then, the Parliament holds a single vote of consent by the Parliament, which enables the Council to appoint the new Commission leadership.
The confirmation hearing for the designated European Commissioner for Migration from Austria, Magnus Brunner, is scheduled for November 5, 2024.
Romania & Bulgaria Will Still Have to Wait for Land Border Accession to Schengen
While the current European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, has continuously backed the membership of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Zone, including through land borders, urging for the finalisation of this process by the end of this year, several politicians in Brunner’s home country share a different opinion.
Austria approved the partial accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Zone by air and sea through the “Air Schengen” agreement, effective March 31, 2024. However, the two countries will still have to wait for land border membership.
Austria objected to the integration of Bucharest and Sofia to the Schengen Zone in 2023 due to irregular migration concerns; for the same reasons, its stance on the matter remains unchanged.
Earlier this month, the Minister of the Interior of Austria, Gerhard Karner, said the time for full membership of these two countries to the Schengen Zone has yet not arrived.
The issue was also discussed during the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council meeting on October 10; however, no vote was part of the agenda. A further decision by the Council is needed to set a date for the abolishment of land border controls.
- Austria Says Romania & Bulgaria Will Still Have to Wait for Full Schengen Membership