Austria has formally agreed to lift its long-held veto on Romania and Bulgaria joining the passport-free Schengen area, its interior ministry announced on Monday, clearing the final obstacle for the two Eastern European countries' accession after years of resistance from Vienna.

"We can move on to the next step at the EU (Justice and Home Affairs) Council," Austria's Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said in a statement, referring to a meeting that will take place in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.

A spokesman for the Vienna Interior Ministry told AFP: "We will not exercise our veto."

The Schengen area, Europe's passport-free travel zone spanning 27 countries, is expected to expand when European Union interior ministers vote on admitting Romania's and Bulgaria's land borders into the system.

Hungary, which currently holds the EU Council presidency, proposed the vote last month following Austria's change of stance.

Vienna had previously blocked the expansion of the Schengen area's land border in 2021, citing concerns about the two countries' ability to protect the EU's external borders from illegal immigration, despite the European Commission's endorsement of their membership, reported Reuters.

Romania and Bulgaria, both EU and NATO members, had already gained partial access to the Schengen area in March for air and sea travel, but their land borders remained outside the system.

Anticipating the likely approval for expansion, Karner added: "After 'Schengen Air', 'Schengen Land' is now open to Romania and Bulgaria."

He noted that Austria's strict stance on immigration control had achieved its intended effect, with a signifi cant decrease in migrants detected near the Austrian-Hungarian border, a primary entry route into Austria.

Karner defended Austria's previous opposition to Romania and Bulgaria joining the Schengen area, saying: "Without this veto, this massive reduction in illegal border crossings would not have happened."

The minister pointed to a dramatic drop in border interceptions, from 70,000 in the year to October 2022 to just 4,000 in the same period this year.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been an advocate for the expansion, stating last month that Romania and Bulgaria "belong fully" to the Schengen area and expressing hope that "2025 see Schengen become stronger".

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola emphasized the broader implications for the continent, saying "a stronger Schengen means a stronger Europe".

The proposal requires unanimous approval from all EU member states during the upcoming ministerial meeting, though no opposition is anticipated following Austria's change of position.

European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson confirmed the formal vote would take place on Thursday or Friday, with land border controls potentially ending as soon as Jan 1.