Image: FLORIAN SCHR…TTER (BKA)
“Austria has a clear position that Schengen expansion cannot take place at the moment,” Nehammer told journalists on Tuesday after a meeting with Denkow.
Nehammer made it clear that bilateral border controls within the Schengen area must first be withdrawn before Austria will give the green light to Bulgaria and Romania. There is a need for better EU external border protection, faster procedures and return agreements. “Then the pressure will be reduced, then the bilateral border controls will also be withdrawn, then we can talk about Schengen,” said the Chancellor. He once again described the Schengen system as “broken”, but at the same time emphasized that the Austrian position was “not a position against Bulgaria or Romania”.
Rather, Nehammer praised Bulgaria’s efforts in protecting the EU’s external border and highlighted that four Bulgarian border police officers had been “murdered” during their work. “It is clear from the Austrian perspective that we as Austria are very grateful to Bulgaria for all the efforts, efforts and sacrifices that Bulgarian police officers make when it comes to border protection for the European Union and also Austria,” said the former Interior Minister.
Video: Bulgarian Prime Minister calls for Schengen accession
In his speech, Denkow emphasized the “total agreement” between Bulgaria and Austria on the migration issue. The only difference is the question of whether Schengen membership for Bulgaria and Romania would help in the fight against migration. He presented Nehammer with the relevant Bulgarian arguments and specifically mentioned, for example, the possible relocation of police officers to the Bulgarian EU external border with Turkey. With Bulgaria and Romania in the Schengen area, we can take action against irregular migration “much more effectively.”
Denkow also referred to the economic costs of border controls between Bulgaria and the other EU states. Without controls, it would be easier to transport food, which would also help “flatten” inflation. When asked by a Bulgarian journalist, Nehammer said there was “no question” that a system without border controls would be more economically “efficient”. But you have to weigh up security and the economy and the security situation does not currently allow the controls to end. In this regard, Nehammer also referred to the threat of terrorism. After all, tens of thousands of irregular migrants came to Austria through the Schengen area last year, but “it is not known what motives they had for crossing the border.”
Austria is sticking to its position
Denkow had already set his expectations low before his visit. “We don’t expect an answer from Austria today,” he said on Tuesday upon his departure from Sofia, according to the BTA news agency. The main purpose of the visit was to “explain to Austrian society and politicians that it would be better for the Austrians if Bulgaria and Romania were part of the Schengen area,” said Denkow.
Last December, Austria opposed the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area, citing the high number of irregular migrants on the Balkan route. Vienna wants to stick to this position as long as the protection of the EU’s external border is, in its view, inadequate. Sofia said on Monday that 40 percent more migrants were prevented from traveling to Western Europe this year than last year. Interior Minister Kalin Stojanov emphasized that “practically no migrants” would reach the Bulgarian-Serbian border.
The Bulgarian head of government also met the President of the Industrial Association (IV), Georg Knill, in Vienna. Ahead of the visit, Denkow pointed out that the Austrian economy was “well represented” in his country and, according to unofficial information, was even the most important investor. The Bulgarian subsidiaries of Austrian companies would also “suffer” from the difficulties in transporting goods. A meeting with leading members of the National Council was also planned. According to official information from the Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ), Austria was in second place among foreign investors in Bulgaria in the first quarter of 2023 behind the Netherlands.
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Source: Nachrichten