Romania’s accession to land Schengen, “national interest” for Hungary. The harsh criticism of Austria by a minister from Budapest

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The accession of Romania with land borders to the Schengen area as soon as possible is in the national interest of Hungary, said on Monday, October 28, the head of diplomacy from Budapest, Peter Szijjarto, in front of the commission for national cohesion of the parliament.

He added that the government of which he is a part hopes that this can happen before the end of the Hungarian presidency of the EU Council – December 31.

He highlighted the difficulties arising from the fact that Romania is not (fully) part of the Schengen regime, Szijjarto affirming that “Romania has taken all the necessary preparatory measures” to be co-opted, as shown by the evaluations of Brussels experts and the almost unanimous support of EU members.

Referring to Austria’s refusal to support Romania’s entry into Schengen, the Hungarian minister said that this is an example of the application of double standards. “Usually, when we refuse to support something, it is immediately seen as a violation of the ideals of the founding fathers and a shocking dissidence towards European unity (…) but when a Western European country does the same, it is considered a legitimate application of the rights deriving from the EU treaties”, said Peter Szijjarto.

He specified that the Hungarian government is in permanent consultations with Austria, but “the internal situation in Austria has become unstable after the recent elections that were not won by the forces that have governed until now”. “However, the winner is not given the chance to form a government,” he added.

Szijjarto also stated that Hungary is among the supporters of European support for Romania and Bulgaria to fully join the Schengen area as soon as possible. Romania’s accession would also be “in full agreement” with the interests of the Hungarian ethnic community in Romania, added the Hungarian minister.