Austria has removed its veto, allowing Romania and Bulgaria to join the Schengen free-travel area. This decision paves the way for a crucial meeting among EU ministers this week to finalize their full membership.
Austria had initially raised concerns over illegal immigration, leading to a partial agreement in March to lift air and maritime border checks for both countries. However, land border controls have remained a point of negotiation.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner noted that the reduction in illegal crossings, from 70,000 interceptions last year to just 4,000 this year, is a direct result of Austria's demands. With this step, Romania and Bulgaria will now be able to fully integrate into the Schengen area, allowing free movement across both air and land borders.
The final approval is expected at Thursday's EU Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting.
Austria's far-right Freedom Party (FPO) will lead the state government in Styria for the first time, after securing a coalition deal that appoints its leader Mario Kunasek as governor.
OMV ends 50+ years of Russian gas imports after seizing supplies to enforce a €230M arbitration award against Gazprom. The stoppage marks a shift in Austria's energy ties as OMV explores ways to fully exit Russian gas despite contracts running until 2040.
Russia’s state-owned natural gas company Gazprom is turning off its supply to Austria after Austria said it wouldn’t pay anymore until it had received 230 million euros worth of gas, following an arbitration ruling with Austria's energy company OMV who is owed this sum from a dispute.
The French overseas territory of Mayotte is grappling with widespread destruction in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, described as the strongest storm to hit the archipelago in over 90 years. Striking over the weekend, the cyclone raised concerns about disaster preparedness and response efforts.
The UN has called for an inclusive political transition in Syria, stressing that progress in this area is critical for securing the economic aid needed to rebuild the war-torn country. UN special envoy Geir Pedersen emphasized that inclusive political transition in Syria is crucial.
Luigi Mangione, 26, was indicted for the murder of UnitedHealth Group executive Brian Thompson, charged with first-degree murder and terrorism. Prosecutors say the killing was a planned act to "sow terror," sparking outrage over healthcare costs and access in the U.S.
Israeli troops intensified operations in the U.N.-monitored buffer zone between Syria and the Golan Heights, responding to ongoing security threats and strategic changes following the recent ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Venezuela launches underwater coral farms in a groundbreaking effort to combat climate change and restore marine ecosystems affected by global warming, acidification, and disease.
Negotiations at COP29 in Baku face a critical impasse as sharp divisions over climate finance and fossil fuel commitments threaten progress.
"Come up with the video in its full form," demands the COP29 CEO, Elnur Soltanov, in an exclusive interview with AnewZ. The chief executive has broken his silence on the claims he was using his position to organise potential fossil fuel deals.
The French overseas territory of Mayotte is grappling with widespread destruction in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, described as the strongest storm to hit the archipelago in over 90 years. Striking over the weekend, the cyclone raised concerns about disaster preparedness and response efforts.
The UN has called for an inclusive political transition in Syria, stressing that progress in this area is critical for securing the economic aid needed to rebuild the war-torn country. UN special envoy Geir Pedersen emphasized that inclusive political transition in Syria is crucial.
Luigi Mangione, 26, was indicted for the murder of UnitedHealth Group executive Brian Thompson, charged with first-degree murder and terrorism. Prosecutors say the killing was a planned act to "sow terror," sparking outrage over healthcare costs and access in the U.S.
Israeli troops intensified operations in the U.N.-monitored buffer zone between Syria and the Golan Heights, responding to ongoing security threats and strategic changes following the recent ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
“Nothing lasts forever.” These words echo from the walls of a Damascus prison, once a place of terror and torture. Today, two survivors stand inside, reliving the unthinkable.
The French overseas territory of Mayotte is grappling with widespread destruction in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, described as the strongest storm to hit the archipelago in over 90 years. Striking over the weekend, the cyclone raised concerns about disaster preparedness and response efforts.
The UN has called for an inclusive political transition in Syria, stressing that progress in this area is critical for securing the economic aid needed to rebuild the war-torn country. UN special envoy Geir Pedersen emphasized that inclusive political transition in Syria is crucial.
Luigi Mangione, 26, was indicted for the murder of UnitedHealth Group executive Brian Thompson, charged with first-degree murder and terrorism. Prosecutors say the killing was a planned act to "sow terror," sparking outrage over healthcare costs and access in the U.S.
Israeli troops intensified operations in the U.N.-monitored buffer zone between Syria and the Golan Heights, responding to ongoing security threats and strategic changes following the recent ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Venezuela launches underwater coral farms in a groundbreaking effort to combat climate change and restore marine ecosystems affected by global warming, acidification, and disease.
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