Romanian politicians deplored Vienna’s “unjustified” decision to block the country’s access to Schengen, with many voices calling for a boycott of Austrian goods or companies.
The Romanian Foreign Ministry said Austria’s negative vote in the Justice and Home Affairs Council is totally inadmissible and, being the only opponent of Romania’s entry to the Schengen area, Austria is now isolated within the EU. Romanian diplomacy considers Vienna’s position as totally unfair and lacking objective motivation.
The ministry summoned the Austrian ambassador to Bucharest to convey the Romanian position and the protest of the Foreign Ministry against Austria’s “unjustified and unfriendly” attitude, which would lead to “inevitable” consequences on the bilateral relations.
The Internal Affairs Minister, Lucian Bode, went even further, saying the rejection is a vote against the entire EU and the European unity, which will make some non-EU actors happy. “In its long history, many injustices have been done against Romania. And many times, Russia contributed to the making of them. We feel that Russia is about to enjoy one more injustice done against Romania,” Bode said in Brussels.
Asked to explain his statement, Bode said: “Don’t you think that Russia is comfortable with the fact that Romania is not fully integrated into the European Union space? It suits it perfectly.”
Even opposition parties criticised Austria’s position and called for resignations within the government, especially Bode.
However, Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca has not hinted at any changes in his government while expressing his disappointment for Vienna’s vote, which was based on “allegations based on figures that Romania proved are incorrect.”
Ciuca said Romania will continue to work to protect the external borders of the EU and prove its right to be in the Schengen area, as joining the border control-free zone is a strategic national target.
Meanwhile, on social media, there were many calls for a boycott of Austria, one of the leading destinations for Romanian tourists in the winter season. Entrepreneurs talked of changing financial service suppliers, as two of the main Romanian banks, BCR and Raiffeisen, are owned by Austrian institutions. Also, drivers said they would no longer fuel their vehicles at Austrian-controlled OMV Petrom, the largest oil and gas company in Romania.
(Bogdan Neagu | EURACTIV.ro)
Source: euractiv.com
