Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Still no deal with Austria for Schengen, negotiations are ongoing

Photo: Archive

There is no deal for Bulgaria to accept migrants against Austria's agreement to allow Bulgaria into Schengen by air, Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov told bTV. "We are continuing the negotiations. This is their negotiating position, not the final result. What is acceptable is for Bulgaria to comply with the general European rules. If someone wants other rules that are specific to Bulgaria, this is categorically unacceptable. Regarding the reception of migrants - there are European rules, we will work according to them," said the Prime Minister. 

In front of bTV, Bulgarian Minister of Justice Atanas Slavov also supported the position of Prime Minister Denkov.

The reports  published in the Austrian media that Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner was ready to soften Austria's Schengen veto for Romania and Bulgaria caused reactions from opposition parties. 

Austrian Freedom Party spokesman Hannes Amesbauer accused the ruling Austrian People's Party of a "planned staged retreat" and abandonment of the "Fortress Austria" plan. The MP from the opposition NEOS party, Claudia Gamon, emphasized that Romania and Bulgaria fulfill all the criteria for joining Schengen and it is "impertinence to request to negotiate for something that belongs to them". 

Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen spoke out against Vienna's veto and said their migrant problems came from Hungary, not Bulgaria and Romania, calling for "the government to better protect its investment interests" in the two countries.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Presidential Administration will not use cars of the National Service for Protection

The cars of the National Service for Protection will no longer be at the disposal of the administration of the presidential institution, the MPs have decided, BNR reporter Daniel Inkov informed. This does not apply to the cars used..

published on 10/3/25 4:21 PM

Bulgaria and North Macedonia sign agreement on cross-border railway tunnel

The Council of Ministers approved amendments to the Agreement between Bulgaria and North Macedonia on the preparation, construction and operation of a cross-border railway tunnel. “Following correspondence, notes were received from..

published on 10/3/25 3:40 PM

Flood in Elenite resort claims a victim

A man drowned in an underground garage of a building in the Elenite resort, the Burgas regional administration has reported, quoted by BTA. His body was found during a search by fire department officials. Rescue teams continue..

published on 10/3/25 2:20 PM