The security of the EU’s external borders is a commitment shared by all member-states, and is key to tackling illegal migration, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and the Federal Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer emphasized at a meeting in Vienna.

At the invitation of Karl Nehammer, the Bulgarian President is the only head of state invited to this year’s edition of the Vienna Philharmonic New Year's Concert at the Golden Hall of the Musikverein. According to the Austrian Chancellor, Europe cannot afford to have tens of thousands of unregistered migrants crossing the territory of the countries members of the EU. The Bulgarian President, on his part, stated that security along the external borders of Europe calls for targeted technical and financial support by the EU, adding that Bulgaria has made significant investments in improving security aloing its borders.

The Austrian Chancellor is to pay a visit to Bulgaria on 23 January to get acquainted with the measures the country has been taking for safeguarding the borders of the EU.