The Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recalled the country's ambassador to Austria, Emil Hurezeana, for consultations.

APA reports that the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has released information about this.

It was reported that the reason for this was Austria's vote against Romania's accession to the Schengen zone at the meeting of the Council of Internal Affairs and Justice of the European Union (EU).

"Romania's decision is a political gesture that underlines the position that we strongly disagree with Austria's behavior and indicates a decision to lower the current level of relations with this state," the Ministry said.

The requests of Romania and Bulgaria to join the Schengen zone were rejected at the meeting of the EU Interior and Justice Council held in Brussels yesterday.

Only Austria spoke against the inclusion of Romania in the Schengen zone.

EU countries have approved Croatia's entry into the Schengen area.

It should be noted that visa control at the internal borders has been canceled for citizens of Schengen zone countries.

Currently, it includes 26 countries, 22 of which are EU members.

The zone was established in Luxembourg in 1985 on the basis of an agreement signed in the Schengen zone.