The Austrian chancellor, Karl Nehammer, advanced March 2023 as a possible date for Romania’s accession to the Schengen area at a closed meeting of the EPP on Wednesday, political sources told G4Media.
He referred to alleged “pressure” on Austrian companies in Romania, after MEP Rareș Bogdan invoked the strong economic ties between the two countries.
“I am surprised if this happens. Our mission is to protect our companies. The issues should remain separate, the economy with the economy and security with security,” said Chancellor Nehammer, according to information from G4Media.
The discussion at the EPP meeting was extremely tense, according to information from G4Media, after the Austrian chancellor announced that he opposes the entry of Romania and Bulgaria into Schengen on the grounds that illegal migrants would enter Austria through the two villages.
“I understand that there is more and more pressure on Austrian companies in Romania, which are major employers, major investors. It is a matter of political economy, not security. We informed and asked that if there will be situations where Austrian companies will be under pressure, they must inform immediately. We have also informed the international missions and our mission is to defend our companies. I declare myself surprised by such a course of action if this happens, because the EU is more than Schengen. We have joined an economic union and the issues should remain as they are: economy with economy and security with security. It’s not just an Austrian problem, it’s a European one,” said Nehammer.
We recall that large Austrian companies such as OMV, Erste, Raiffeisen or Grawe have a significant presence on their respective markets in Romania.
