Austria's position on Bulgaria’s bid to join Schengen remains unchanged, Vienna will support EU funding for border security

There is no change in Austria's position on the enlargement of the Schengen area. This became clear after the visit of Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer at the Bulgarian-Turkish border near Elhovo on January 23.

Austria will support before the European Commission Bulgaria's request for 2 billion euros to reinforce the country's border security.

Nehammer is visiting Bulgaria at the invitation of President Rumen Radev. The two met at the border near Elhovo and got acquainted with the measures taken to secure the EU's external border with Turkey.

Rumen Radev and Karl Nehammer also visited the Regional Border Police Directorate in Elhovo, where the Regional Coordination Centre, part of the Integrated Surveillance System for the Bulgarian-Turkish border, is located.

Having familiarised himself with the way the Bulgarian-Turkish border is secured, Karl Nehammer thanked for the efforts Bulgaria is making in this area, as "the protection of the Bulgarian-Turkish border is in reality also the protection of the Austrian border".

Mr Nehammer pointed out that a Europe-wide effort was needed to tackle the migrant pressure, including assistance to frontline countries. Therefore, Austria will support Bulgaria's EUR 2 billion request to the European Commission for the purchase of more technical equipment, helicopters, all-terrain vehicles and improved infrastructure in the border area.

"I would like to express my deepest condolences to the relatives of the Bulgarian border police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Protecting the Bulgarian-Turkish border is actually protecting the Austrian border. We are therefore extremely grateful for the efforts that Bulgaria is making. We have had the opportunity to see the challenges related to the protection of this border. Austria supports Bulgaria's efforts and Bulgaria's desire to reinforce and strengthen the border and that is why we will advocate to the European Commission that these 2 billion euros be made available," he pointed out.

However, despite our country's efforts, the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to Schengen, according to Nehammer, should only take place after further strengthening of border protection, a reduction of established migrants inside Schengen and specific measures by the EC to speed up political asylum and repatriation procedures.

"The Schengen system is in a major crisis. If it were functioning, it should mean that there should be no border controls inside this area. But the reality is different. Since 2015, Germany has reintroduced border controls at its borders with Austria and the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic has introduced controls on its border with Slovakia for the first time in its history. Austria controls its borders with Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia with border police and army officers. This de facto outlines this major problem, which we can only solve together.

We need Europe-wide changes in legislation to enable police officers to act quickly and effectively and a common policy to repel migration. We also need a clear signal at European level that the countries on the front line of the migrant pressure are not left alone to deal with this problem, nor are they left alone with asylum procedures and this is a legal problem at European level," he said.

Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev thanked the Austrian chancellor for his support for pan-European efforts to secure the external borders, but disagreed with his thesis on Schengen.

"I fully understand and respect Chancellor Nehammer's position. As head of state, his first priority is the security of his country and the security of his fellow citizens. But I also argue with him on the following - the fact that Schengen is not fully functioning in central Europe, that border controls are being introduced between countries, does not mean that Bulgaria and Romania should stay out of Schengen. We have developed capabilities and we prove on a daily basis that we protect the EU's external borders, and we do it better than a number of Schengen countries.

Schengen embodies one of the most significant values of the Union - freedom of movement. In addition to security, there are economic and other dimensions, and I do not think it is fair for Romania and Bulgaria to be outside Schengen, because our economies lose out from this, and Austria loses out, because Austria is the number one investor in Bulgaria and we value this economic cooperation very highly.

We also want to value the time of our citizens, who lose time and nerves waiting at the border crossing points. So I believe that we will find a rational solution in the foreseeable future.

Nehammer and I share a common conviction that securing Europe's external borders is a shared commitment and the countries on the front line need support. I would like to thank him for standing firm on this position both before the EU and the Council of the EU," Radev said.

The Bulgarian head of state also pointed out that while representing Bulgaria before the Council of the EU, he would continue to raise the issue of securing our border and Schengen membership at every meeting.

In the late afternoon, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehmmer will also hold talks with caretaker Prime Minister Gulub Donev.

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