Reactions of the European institutions after Austria indicated it might lift its veto on Bulgaria and Romania's full Schengen membership

The leaders of the European institutions welcomed Austria's indication that it might lift its veto on the Schengen accession of Romania and Bulgaria.

Bulgaria and Romania belong fully to Schengen. This is what European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on the social network X.

Bulgaria and Romania belong fully to the Schengen area.

Removing internal controls at land borders is the last hurdle.

I welcome the positive outcome of informal discussions in Budapest today.
@EUCouncil formal decision is next.

Let 2025 see Schengen become stronger. pic.twitter.com/zHJrg9HzFw

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) November 22, 2024

A stronger Schengen means a stronger Europe, the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsosla wrote.

I welcome today's positive development on Romania and Bulgaria fully joining the Schengen area.@Europarl_EN has led this call from day one.

A stronger Schengen means a stronger Europe.

I look forward to a final decision in the coming days.

— Roberta Metsola (@EP_President) November 22, 2024

After Austria's veto is lifted, the Parliament in the Netherlands will hold another debate on Bulgaria’s Schengen membership. The country lifted the veto on Bulgaria’s Schengen accession last year, but before the far-right Freedom Party won the elections. The Netherlands is expected to introduce controls at its land borders on 9 December, a measure that will be in force for six months.

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