Hungary, Romania Agree to Open Two More Border Crossings

Hungary and Romania have signed an agreement to open two more border crossings between Kübékháza and Beba Veche, and Magyarcsanád and Cenad, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said last week, cited by Budapest Business Journal.

During a joint press conference with Romanian Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Sorin Grindeanu in Timisoara, Romania, Szijjártó said the Kübékháza-Beba Veche crossing would be opened within two years, while the Magyarcsanád-Cenad crossing would involve the reconstruction of a bridge over the Maros River that was bombed in 1940.

The number of border crossings between Hungary and Romania will rise to 14 as a result, he added. Moreover, there is the possibility of increasing this number as well. Szijjártó noted that two motorway crossings between the countries were set to be completed by 2025 and 2030.

In this context, at the press conference, Szijjártó urged Austria “not to obstruct” Romania’s accession to the European Union’s passport-free Schengen zone.

I want to ask – in order not to use the word instruct – politely but firmly of our Austrian friends that they do not obstruct Romania’s Schengen accession this fall.

Hungary’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Schengen admission for Romania

Szijjártó added that Romania’s accession to the Schengen zone as soon as possible is in Hungary’s national interest. Hungarian, European and Romanian companies lose tens of millions of Euros if the country is not in Schengen, as border control delays merchandise transport and favours fuel consumption.

Romania has been blocked from Schengen admission by Austria. Following this obstruction, Romanians started boycotting the Austrian companies.

The enlargement of the Schengen area is not a priority for the Spanish presidency of the Council of the European Union. Still, Romania has never lost hope of being admitted to Schengen along with Bulgaria.