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

Interior Minister refuses to predict deadline for Bulgaria's full entry into Schengen

Atanas Ilkov
Photo: Press office of the EU/BTA

Interior Minister Atanas Ilkov has assessed as serious the support Bulgaria is receiving for full Schengen membership. However, he did not commit himself to a timeframe on whether this country will be accepted into Schengen by land by the end of the current European Commission's mandate. 
The next Commission is due to take office on 1 December. 

Speaking to journalists in Luxembourg, where he is attending the EU Council meeting, Ilkov said he had spoken to his Austrian counterpart Gerhard Karner, whose country is vetoing Bulgaria's admission to Schengen, but so far there is no firm position from Vienna, BNR correspondent in Brussels Angelina Piskova reported. 
"In terms of demands from us, there is nothing that we have not fulfilled. We have fulfilled what is asked of us, such as increasing the capacity of the Border Police with all the technical equipment, with all the measures we are implementing to counter organised crime groups organising illegal trafficking, good interaction with Romania, Austria and all other European countries," Ilkov said.



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

Draft budget 2026 sparks protests

The Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association has called for participation in a protest on November 26 against the budget for 2026, which is about to be adopted at second reading. "We call not only our members, but also all..

published on 11/26/25 6:50 AM

Yellow code for strong wind in 16 eastern and southwestern regions

On Wednesday , the lowest temperatures will be between 3 and 8°C. In the regions with strong wind it will be up to 10-12°C. In Sofia it will be around 4°C. In the western parts of the Danube Plain and the Upper Thracian Plain it will..

published on 11/25/25 7:50 PM

Drones to aid disaster and fire response in Burgas

Following a series of fires in the Burgas area last summer, including one that destroyed homes in a local villa district, the Burgas municipality has acquired high-tech drones equipped with thermal cameras, night vision, and 3D imaging . The two..

published on 11/25/25 7:01 PM